Adapting the Graduation for Refugees in Ecuador – Case Study Brief

By: Sanchez, Ines A. & Simanowitz, Anton

Organization(s):

Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration

HIAS

Trickle Up

UNHCR

This case study presents Trickle Up’s experience working with UNHCR Ecuador and implementing partner HIAS to adapt the Graduation Approach to the specific needs and context of refugees living in Ecuador.

In spring 2019, Trickle Up commissioned an evaluation to assess the results of the project and synthesize the emerging lessons learned. As part of the evaluation, the evaluation team travelled to Ecuador, where UNHCR launched a pilot program, supported by Trickle Up, in 2015 and, together with its lead implementing partner, HIAS, scaled up the program in 2016 through a national roll out program. This case study uses interviews with staff from UNHCR, partners, and participant refugees3 to explore how UNHCR Ecuador and its implementing partner, HIAS, adapted the GA to the refugee context in Ecuador. It begins by providing an overview of the refugee context in Ecuador, followed by a discussion of how UNHCR and HIAS have leveraged the GA to respond to this situation. The study explores key factors that have enabled and hindered the implementation of the GA with refugees in Ecuador, respectively. The report concludes with a discussion of the main lessons learned and options for moving forward.

Adapting the Graduation for Refugees in Ecuador - Case Study Brief