In 2013-14, the European Resettlement Network will enter a new phase of development under a joint IOM, UNHCR and ICMC project entitled, ‘Strengthening the response to emergency resettlement needs.’

This project will support the existing European Resettlement Network and, as such, further promote cooperation among different stakeholders and build their capacity to increase and improve resettlement efforts. It will also focus on raising awareness of emergency resettlement, conduct outreach, and facilitate mutual learning and exchange of good practice amongst European Resettlement Network members and stakeholders. In an effort to enhance the sustainability of the Network and further advance ownership of it among stakeholders, up to 15 National Network Focal Points, for whom specific terms of references will be developed, will be recruited through a call for expressions of interest. The National Network Focal Points can be drawn from civil society, national, regional and local authorities, International Organisations, NGOs, and faith-based organisations. They will be responsible for gathering and disseminating information and knowledge, contributing material and input for the website, creating awareness of emergency and priority situations, and developing activities at the national level.

An initial European Resettlement Network meeting will bring together approximately 40 active members of the Network, and serve as an opportunity to discuss the Network’s structure, and to share ideas and expectations; it will also be an opportunity to identify potential Focal Points. Over the course of the project, the National Network Focal Points, with the support of the project coordinators, will organise a series of thematic and regional awareness-raising, networking and capacity-building events and workshops on resettlement, bringing together participants from government, International Organisations, NGO’s, civil society, as well as regional and local authorities. These events will serve as a platform to highlight the particular needs of refugees, to highlight emergency resettlement and priority situations, to share best practice and experiences, and to offer inspiring solutions to common challenges.

In order to further strengthen and structure the Network, the project coordinators will establish a Network Steering Committee, which will be comprised of the project coordinators and various other key stakeholders. This forum will seek to refine the European Resettlement Network strategy for the upcoming year. The project will also focus on further developing the www.resettlement.eu< website to highlight emergency resettlement needs and priority situations, and to build the capacity of European countries to respond to emergency resettlement situations. In this effort, the website now also includes a resource library, a directory of resettlement policymakers and practitioners, and an online Community of Practice to facilitate discussion groups and consultations.

Factsheet:

To download the Emergency Resettlement Project Factsheet click here<.