What is this research about?
This report explores the role of tech entrepreneurs in supporting the integration of refugees. It focuses on how digital tools and platforms are being developed and utilized to address the various challenges faced by refugees, from navigating local services to finding employment and housing. The study is set against the backdrop of the 2015-16 European refugee influx, a period marked by significant social and technological innovation aimed at managing the challenges posed by the influx of refugees.
What do you need to know?
The 2015–16 period saw an explosion of social and technological innovation to address the refugee crisis and the massive numbers of asylum seekers and migrants arriving in Europe and beyond. The breakneck speed and volume of these new ideas reflect the unique selling point of the tech industry: its ability to move quickly and collaborate across borders. Technology is transforming every stage of the refugee’s journey, from the decision to leave home to the process of settling into a new home.
Key concepts discussed in the research include the development of digital platforms that assist refugees in various stages of their asylum process, from pre-departure to long-term integration. The study categorizes these innovations under several headings: navigating local services, employment and training, community-based housing and services, and gaps and opportunities in current tech-driven solutions. The research also highlights the role of policy in shaping the effectiveness and reach of these technological innovations.
What did the researchers do?
The researchers mapped and categorized the types of technological innovations being used or developed to support refugee integration. They analyzed how these technologies address specific needs at different stages of the refugee experience. Additionally, the study involved discussions with various stakeholders including tech entrepreneurs, policy experts, and refugees themselves to understand the impact and effectiveness of these innovations. The researchers conducted a comprehensive review of existing technological initiatives aimed at refugee integration.
What did the researchers find?
Many new tools have failed to live up to their promise, in part because of extensive duplication in the sector, limited understanding of refugees’ needs, and funding and organizational limitations. The speed of the tech response has outpaced policy debate, and many digital efforts are poorly connected with traditional, offline services or with mainstream policy, the authors find. Policymakers could better channel the streams of innovation by identifying particular problems that could benefit from a tech solution, foster support for the most promising innovations with follow-up funding or incubation support, and invite tech entrepreneurs into integration policy discussions, among other recommendations.
The researchers found a surge in innovative solutions addressing the refugee crisis, highlighting both the potential and the pitfalls of these efforts:
The study also identified gaps in addressing other under-served areas such as education and multilingual classrooms, credential recognition, and financing for refugee entrepreneurs.
How can you use this research?
This research offers valuable insights and practical recommendations for harnessing technology to improve the lives of refugees and facilitate their integration into new communities. If you are involved in refugee support services, policy-making, or tech entrepreneurship, this research provides a comprehensive overview of how digital innovations can be leveraged to improve refugee integration. Here are several ways to use this research:
Tech Entrepreneurs:
Policymakers:
Humanitarian Organizations:
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