Support for Community-Based Organizations CBOs: Strengthening Local Refugee and Displaced Persons’ Responses
Introduction/Overview
Support for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) involves providing resources, training, and technical assistance to local organizations that work directly with refugees and displaced persons. CBOs play a critical role in refugee support by offering essential services, advocating for refugee rights, and fostering community development. By strengthening their capacity, CBOs can more effectively respond to the needs of refugees and contribute to long-term social cohesion within host communities.
This support is grounded in international frameworks such as:
Global Compact on Refugees (2018), which emphasizes the role of local actors, including CBOs, in delivering tailored support for refugee integration.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11), which promotes sustainable communities, emphasizing the role of local organizations in building inclusive and resilient cities.
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), which highlights the importance of local organizations in disaster response, especially for vulnerable populations like refugees.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which ensures access to essential services, including housing, education, and healthcare for refugees.
A Vision for Empowering Community-Based Organizations
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we recognize the indispensable role that CBOs play in delivering frontline services and advocating for refugee rights. Our vision is to empower CBOs by providing them with the necessary funding, training, and technical assistance to improve their service delivery, enhance their advocacy efforts, and foster sustainable community development.
By supporting CBOs, RefPIC aims to build a strong network of local organizations that are well-equipped to meet the needs of refugees and displaced persons. Our goal is to ensure that CBOs have the tools, knowledge, and resources to advocate for refugee rights and promote social inclusion within host communities.
How We Deliver Support to CBOs: Enhancing Capacity for Refugee Advocacy and Service Delivery
RefPIC’s approach to supporting CBOs involves providing targeted funding, capacity-building initiatives, and technical assistance to local organizations that are directly involved in refugee support. Our programs are designed to strengthen the capacity of CBOs to deliver essential services, advocate for refugee rights, and promote community development.
Key components of our Support for CBOs program include:
Funding for Essential Services: RefPIC provides financial support to CBOs to help them deliver critical services to refugees, such as healthcare, education, housing, and legal assistance. This funding enables CBOs to respond to the urgent needs of refugees and displaced persons.
Capacity-Building Training: We offer training programs that focus on enhancing the skills and knowledge of CBO staff. These programs cover areas such as program management, governance, advocacy, and service delivery, helping CBOs improve their operational effectiveness.
Technical Assistance: RefPIC provides technical support to CBOs, helping them develop strategies for sustainable growth, improve resource management, and implement best practices in refugee support. Our goal is to strengthen their capacity to manage complex programs and engage with diverse stakeholders.
Advocacy Support: RefPIC supports CBOs in their efforts to advocate for the rights and needs of refugees. We provide training on effective advocacy strategies, help CBOs engage with policymakers, and offer resources to amplify their voices at the local, national, and international levels.
Fostering Community Development: Through our programs, RefPIC encourages CBOs to engage in community development initiatives that promote social cohesion, inclusion, and resilience. We support CBOs in creating programs that bring together refugees and host communities, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration.
Why Supporting CBOs Matters
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are often the first point of contact for refugees and displaced persons, providing essential services that meet their immediate needs. Without adequate support, many CBOs struggle with limited resources, staff, and capacity, which can hinder their ability to deliver effective services and advocate for refugee rights.
By investing in the capacity of CBOs, RefPIC ensures that these organizations can better serve refugee populations and play a more active role in local and national advocacy efforts. Strengthening CBOs is also crucial for promoting community development, as these organizations are well-positioned to foster social cohesion between refugees and host communities.
For refugees, stronger CBOs mean improved access to essential services, greater opportunities for integration, and enhanced protection of their rights. For host communities, well-supported CBOs contribute to more inclusive and resilient communities, promoting peace and stability.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Support for CBOs
As RefPIC continues to expand its support for Community-Based Organizations, we are committed to working with a broader range of local partners to enhance their capacity to serve refugees. By providing funding, training, and technical assistance, we aim to empower CBOs to deliver more effective services, advocate for refugee rights, and promote sustainable community development.
Our efforts to support CBOs are part of our Triple Nexus Approach, which integrates humanitarian relief, development, and peacebuilding. By focusing on CBOs, we aim to strengthen local actors who are best positioned to provide long-term support to refugees and contribute to community resilience.
What We Aim to Achieve
Our primary goals in supporting CBOs include:
Empowering Local Organizations: Provide funding, training, and technical assistance to enhance the capacity of CBOs to deliver essential services to refugees and displaced persons.
Strengthening Advocacy: Equip CBOs with the tools and knowledge to advocate effectively for refugee rights at the local, national, and international levels.
Promoting Community Development: Encourage CBOs to engage in community development initiatives that foster social cohesion and integration between refugees and host communities.
Enhancing Service Delivery: Help CBOs improve their service delivery by offering resources, training, and best practices in program management and governance.
Building Sustainability: Support CBOs in developing long-term strategies for sustainable growth, ensuring they can continue to serve refugees effectively in the future.
How We Deliver Impact
Funding for Essential Services: RefPIC provides financial support to CBOs, enabling them to deliver critical services such as healthcare, education, and housing to refugees.
Capacity-Building Initiatives: We offer training programs that enhance the skills and knowledge of CBO staff, helping them improve their operational effectiveness.
Technical Assistance: RefPIC provides technical support to CBOs, helping them implement best practices in governance, resource management, and program delivery.
Advocacy Training: We equip CBOs with advocacy skills, helping them engage with policymakers and amplify their voices in defense of refugee rights.
Community Development Programs: RefPIC supports CBOs in creating programs that promote social cohesion, inclusion, and collaboration between refugees and host communities.
Who Benefits
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs): Local organizations benefit from improved capacity, resources, and technical assistance, enabling them to deliver more effective services and advocate for refugee rights.
Refugees and Displaced Persons: Refugees benefit from stronger CBOs that can provide essential services, advocate for their rights, and support their integration into host communities.
Host Communities: Host communities benefit from well-supported CBOs that promote social cohesion, inclusion, and collaboration, contributing to more resilient and stable societies.
Governance, Oversight, and Accountability
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we uphold the highest standards of governance, oversight, and accountability across all our programs. As a registered nonprofit, we operate in full compliance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and adhere to guidelines set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for charities. This ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with national laws.
In addition to federal compliance, RefPIC adheres to provincial nonprofit regulations where we operate, both within Canada and internationally. Where necessary, we incorporate separately in different jurisdictions to ensure we meet local legal requirements. This enables us to operate effectively across regions while maintaining the highest levels of accountability and legal compliance.
National and Provincial Compliance: RefPIC strictly follows Canadian laws governing nonprofit organizations, ensuring transparency, financial accountability, and ethical standards. By complying with federal and provincial nonprofit regulations, we meet all legal requirements in the regions we serve.
International Standards and Frameworks: RefPIC's work is further guided by international laws and frameworks that protect refugee rights and promote sustainable development. We align our programs with global best practices to ensure our initiatives serve refugees and displaced persons effectively.
Strong Accountability Practices: We collaborate with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure responsible resource management and effective service delivery. Through regular evaluations, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement, RefPIC ensures that our programs meet the immediate needs of refugees while contributing to long-term sustainable outcomes.
For more details, visit our Governance, Oversight, and Accountability page to learn more about our commitment to ethical practices, program evaluation, and compliance with legal frameworks.
Get Involved/Call to Action
Support CBOs: Advocate for stronger funding and capacity-building initiatives that empower CBOs to serve refugees more effectively.
Volunteer: Share your expertise in community development, program management, or advocacy by volunteering with RefPIC’s CBO support programs.
Partner with Us: Collaborate with RefPIC to strengthen local CBOs and enhance their capacity to deliver services and advocate for refugees.
Donate: Your financial contributions help fund CBOs, ensuring they have the resources needed to provide essential services and advocate for refugee rights.