Digital Humanitarianism: How Tech Entrepreneurs Are Supporting Refugee Integration

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:

• Local Services: Apps like Integreat and Migreat aim to simplify access to local services but face challenges in duplication and funding.
• Work and Training: Programs like Kiron Open Higher Education and coding schools such as ReDI School show promise in integrating refugees into the digital economy but are limited to high-skilled individuals.
• Housing: Platforms like Refugees Welcome have shown success in community-based housing but face scalability issues due to labor-intensive matching processes.

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:

1. Tech Entrepreneurs:

   • Focus on creating scalable solutions that can be continuously updated and maintained. Identify areas saturated with similar innovations and focus efforts on under-explored areas that could benefit from technological solutions.
   • Collaborate with existing humanitarian organizations to avoid duplication and enhance the effectiveness of solutions.
   • Consider areas with unmet needs such as education, credential recognition, and financial services for refugees.

2. Policymakers:

   • Use the findings to inform policy that supports effective integration of technology in refugee services, such as funding for promising projects and regulatory support for tech-based solutions.
   • Support innovative solutions through funding, incubation, and favorable procurement policies.
   • Facilitate partnerships between tech innovators and traditional service providers.
   • Signal clear problem areas that need technological solutions and provide support for impact measurement.

3. Humanitarian Organizations:

   • Leverage tech solutions to enhance service delivery.
   • Apply the lessons learned about the dynamic nature of tech projects to ensure that digital solutions remain relevant and are continuously updated to meet the changing needs of refugees.
   • Partner with tech entrepreneurs to co-create tools that address specific needs of refugees.
   • Advocate for policies that support the integration of tech innovations into mainstream services.