Repository of Practices
Primary GCM Objectives
Secondary GCM Objectives
18
GCM Guiding Principles*
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Dates
2020 - 2024
Type of practice
Project/Programme
Summary
Since 2020, the SCOPE project, implemented by Cuso International, has improved inclusive economic growth and supported peacebuilding in Colombia by providing market-driven training and employment opportunities for Venezuelan refugees and migrants, returned Colombians and members of host communities. It identifies and addresses key barriers faced by these populations to access the labour market, gain formal jobs and retain them. To achieve this, SCOPE provides tailor-made training and additional follow-up support, including psychosocial assistance, to project beneficiaries throughout the recruiting and employment phases. The project also works to create more gender equal and socially inclusive work environments by strengthening the capacity of local governments and private sector to design and implement more inclusive employment policies and practices.
Organizations
Main Implementing Organization(s)
Cuso International
Detailed Information
Cuso International
Benefit and Impact
Results achieved by the end of 2021 include:
• 1,353 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, returned Colombians and members of host communities linked to a formal employment (59,3% women);
• 1,961 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, returned Colombians and members of host communities received soft skills training (65,4% women);
• More than 1,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, returned Colombians and members of host communities have received follow-up support and information on relevant services available to these populations;
• 123 stakeholders from the inclusive employment ecosystem (14 from government, 87 private sector and 22 from civil society) have adopted best practices on how to be a more inclusive actor, and;
• 8 technical guidelines and public policy documents have been developed, in close alignment with key Government of Colombia institutions, introducing some of the best practices and lessons learned developed by the SCOPE project in Colombia.
• 1,353 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, returned Colombians and members of host communities linked to a formal employment (59,3% women);
• 1,961 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, returned Colombians and members of host communities received soft skills training (65,4% women);
• More than 1,000 Venezuelan refugees and migrants, returned Colombians and members of host communities have received follow-up support and information on relevant services available to these populations;
• 123 stakeholders from the inclusive employment ecosystem (14 from government, 87 private sector and 22 from civil society) have adopted best practices on how to be a more inclusive actor, and;
• 8 technical guidelines and public policy documents have been developed, in close alignment with key Government of Colombia institutions, introducing some of the best practices and lessons learned developed by the SCOPE project in Colombia.
Key Lessons
Recent studies in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, reveal that the socio-economic integration of Venezuelan refugees and migrants could raise these countries’ GDP by 2% in the long-term. In recognition of these benefits, particularly in the context of post-pandemic recovery, many countries in the region have committed to investing in the socio-economic integration of Venezuelans in their countries. With international support for the socio-economic integration of Venezuelan refugees and migrants into their host communities, these populations can positively contribute to post-pandemic economic recovery and growth.
Lessons learned from this project can be applied to future projects supporting the socio-economic integration of refugees and migrants into host countries and communities. These include: 1) identifying the barriers faced by refugees and migrants to access and retain jobs and provide ways to address them; 2) prioritizing short and tailored-made trainings with a big emphasis on soft/life skills; and 3) engaging the private sector through a solid win-win business case (rather than from a philanthropic or CSR approach) to guarantee that inclusive employment initiatives are successful and sustainable.
Lessons learned from this project can be applied to future projects supporting the socio-economic integration of refugees and migrants into host countries and communities. These include: 1) identifying the barriers faced by refugees and migrants to access and retain jobs and provide ways to address them; 2) prioritizing short and tailored-made trainings with a big emphasis on soft/life skills; and 3) engaging the private sector through a solid win-win business case (rather than from a philanthropic or CSR approach) to guarantee that inclusive employment initiatives are successful and sustainable.
Recommendations(if the practice is to be replicated)
Success of the project, when thinking expansion and replications, requires: a) understanding the gaps and main barriers faced by refugees and migrants to enter the labour market and access/retain decent jobs; b) Engaging the private sector in a way that they see the benefits of inclusive employment and the business case of employing populations in situations of high vulnerability; c) working with national, regional and local authorities (along with private sector companies) to design and implement policies that foster and stimulate inclusive employment. For employability projects to work, impact and scale-up it is necessary to address these three levels (target populations, employers and policy-makers) and coordinate actions in order to have a holistic approach.
Innovation
The project approaches inclusive employment for refugees and migrants from a different perspective. It engages the private sector by building a business case of why they should employ these populations in a win-win situation rather than from a philanthropic or corporate social responsibility approach. The way the project has engaged the private sector has been innovative and highly effective, translating into solid results and, equally important, the possibility of expanding and scaling-up the results and impact. Working with the private sector to guarantee that companies, businesses and enterprises (regardless of their size) are truly inclusive has been an effective approach to employ refugees and migrants through sustainable, decent and high quality jobs.
Additional Resources
Media
Additional Images
Date submitted:
02 April 2022
*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).