Wars, persistent civil conflict and natural disasters have now forced an unprecedented 70 million people to flee their homes, causing one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Of these, 25.5 million people have crossed the borders of their countries looking for international protection and are designated as ‘refugees’. They remain in exile for an average of 17 years, according to current figures.

Local laws and policies in these hosting countries often prevent refugees from working or moving freely, condemning them to an undignified state of dependence on international charitable aid. This results in a harrowing period of long-term stasis in which survival is barely guaranteed, while the wealth of talent, passion and drive that refugees could contribute remains unproductive both for themselves and their hosting communities.

The Andan Foundation aims to increase self-reliance of refugees by unleashing the human capital through education, entrepreneurship and employment.

The Andan approach

They foster self-reliance among displaced populations through economic and financial inclusion, education and vocational training, employment, and entrepreneurship.

They support impact and innovation

Their grant-making strategy supports a range of field projects and interventions, with a focus on refugee livelihoods, education, skills training, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities. They also support academic research into new models and solutions and assist with the development and implementation of scalable pilot projects for refugee integration.

They are keen explorers of the application of new technologies to humanitarian relief, and passionate advocates of digital inclusion for refugees. All funded projects must achieve a demonstrable and measurable impact on refugee families in protracted displacement. Equal opportunities and women’s economic empowerment are preferential criteria in the selection of their interventions.

They convene and collaborate

Andan will achieve its goals by working in partnership with UN agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions concerned with the refugee cause.

They believe that the private sector’s entrepreneurial ingenuity, coupled with humanitarian expertise, can dramatically contribute to the improvement of refugees’ lives. For this reason, they facilitate and propel partnership between the private sector and UN agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions concerned with the refugee cause.

Over time, they seek to foster long-term, transformational solutions for refugees, including shifts in public policy. To this end, Andan participates in public debate and supports initiatives that raise awareness, lobby government, and change attitudes towards refugees.

A systematic change

The quest for durable solutions to the refugee issue must involve a gradual shift away from the current aid-based system towards an environment that allows refugees in long-term displacement to uplift themselves.

Andan contributes to this fundamental, systematic change, working from a perspective that recognizes the economic potential of refugees, as well as the willingness and the determination of these populations to rebuild their lives and integrate with their local communities.

Wherever appropriate, their projects also promote the concurrent development of hosting communities, to ensure that the benefits of refugee economic and financial integration are inclusive, far-reaching, and sustainable.