The Durable Solutions Platform (DSP) organized a virtual roundtable discussion to share existing evidence, experiences and medium-term considerations for holistic livelihoods programming, including the graduation model, in Jordan on 19 August 2020. The roundtable brought together 29 participants from 16 different agencies.
The roundtable focused on the need to promote holistic programming that enables refugees to sustainably advance from humanitarian assistance and that supports Syrian refugees’ and vulnerable Jordanians’ goals of self-reliance. While the graduation approach may provide such a model, the path from graduation to self-reliance may not be linear and sustained, integrated, and multi-sectoral approaches can contribute to building community resilience in the long-term.
The roundtable started with three experts providing reflections on different aspects of holistic livelihoods approaches in Jordan. Fiona Allen (UNHCR) discussed the policy landscape and opportunities for holistic livelihoods approaches going forward, Lukáš Voborský (Caritas) shared initial lessons learned from programmes and future operational considerations, followed by Maram Abudamous (Jordan River Foundation) who presented on the positive impact of holistic programmes supporting beneficiaries’ based on programmatic experience.
The next part of the roundtable brought participants together in discussing challenges, opportunities and evidence gaps on holistic livelihoods approaches including the graduation model in Jordan. Moderated by DSP’s Specialist Lana Stade and DRC Jordan’s Economic Recovery Manager Rahul Mitra, this session brought to light themes including gender dimensions, macro-economic challenges and the balance between vulnerability and poverty. The roundtable report also provides a number of recommendations for livelihoods implementers and donors.
DSP will continue to support strategic thinking and dialogue on medium-term livelihoods approaches to Syrians displacement.