Recruiting, Developing, and Sustaining Sponsor Groups

Marisol Reyes-Soto summarizes the global state of knowledge on recruiting, developing, and sustaining sponsor groups in this knowledge brief. The Knowledge Brief Series on topics related to community-based refugee sponsorship is produced by the University of Ottawa Refugee Hub.

Community Sponsorship is a shared endeavour in which the government, sponsor groups, volunteers, settlement provider agencies, and international organizations participate in the implementation, management, and monitoring of community sponsorship and humanitarian corridor programs. Sponsor groups typically take responsibility for ensuring that newcomers achieve certain integration outcomes, such as acquiring stable housing, learning the local language, and/or becoming self-sufficient. Without willing and able sponsor groups and volunteers, sponsorship programs cannot succeed. This brief provides a detailed overview of key elements identified in the literature outlining the process of recruiting sponsorship volunteers, forming sponsor groups, and developing capacities that contribute to the sustainability of sponsor groups.

The views expressed are those of the author/s, and are not attributable to the host organisations of the Resettlement.Plus website.

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