Lives in Dignity: Lessons from Applying Development-Oriented Approaches in Forced Displacement Contexts

The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility was established in 2020 by the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Project Services. The facility promoted development-oriented approaches to displacement crises by providing flexible funding (from US$500,000 to US$2 million) for projects combining at least two of five themes: economic livelihood development, spatial planning, integrated service delivery, protection in development, and addressing disaster and climate-related human mobility.

Lessons from Applying Development-Oriented Approaches in Forced Displacement Contexts captures key learning from 14 LiD-funded projects implemented across 15 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. These projects involved 36 implementing partners (21 local) with US$27 million committed, and 46 per cent going directly to local partners.

Key lessons from the facility centered around three main areas:

1. Partnerships: The LiD Grant Facility demonstrated that equitable partnerships between diverse stakeholders – including local NGOs, international organizations, government authorities, the private sector, and research institutions – led to more effective and sustainable interventions. Direct funding to all partners rather than sub-granting arrangements empowered local organizations and facilitated genuine collaboration.
2. People- and Community-Centred Approaches: The facility prioritized needs-based rather than status-based targeting, including both displaced populations and host communities. This approach enhanced social cohesion and avoided reinforcing divisions. Local Project Advisory Committees with community representation ensured the continuous participation of displacement-affected populations in project governance.
3. Sustainability: Projects addressed environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and social cohesion while building self-reliance among displacement-affected communities. Post-project sustainability was considered from the outset through capacity building, the engagement of authorities, and community ownership.

The document includes a deeper discussion of lessons learned, and overviews and results of each of the projects funded.

The report found that effective development-oriented approaches require four interconnected pillars: contextually relevant needs-based approaches, multi-sectoral programming, equitable multi-stakeholder partnerships, and balanced humanitarian-development-peace components that adapt to changing contexts.

The LiD Grant Facility offers a model for donors seeking to support localized, sustainable solutions for displacement-affected communities through flexible, adaptive programming that prioritizes local ownership and breaks down traditional sectoral silos.