Complementary pathways are safe and regulated avenues that complement refugee resettlement and by which refugees may be admitted to a country and have their international protection needs met while they support themselves to potentially reach a sustainable and lasting solution.
The following are options that can be explored:
Labour Mobility:
TalentLift
TalentLift is a non-profit international recruitment agency that assists Canadian employers in hiring displaced talent. Individuals living outside Canada, including refugees or those in refugee-like situations, can register on the TalentLift talent platform to join a pool of candidates seeking international employment and skilled visas to Canada. By creating a profile, candidates can showcase their skills and interests, upload or build a CV, express interest in job opportunities, access upskilling programs, and chat with the TalentLift team. Registration is free, and TalentLift does not charge any fees for their services.
To learn more and join the platform, visit platform.talentlift.ca. Additional information about TalentLift support can be found in the frequently asked questions on their website at https://www.talentlift.ca/candidate-faq/.
Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB):
TBB connects refugees with international employment opportunities so that they may obtain a working permit linked with permanent resident status for the worker/employee and their family members in countries where they can access full rights and stability. You may visit https://www.talentbeyondboundaries.org/. Please select “For Job Seekers” to see more information on your suitability.
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP):
The EMPP combines refugee resettlement and economic immigration. It was created by the Government of Canada to help skilled refugees immigrate to Canada through existing economic programmes and give employers in Canada access to a new pool of qualified candidates to fill job openings.
For more information on eligibility for the EMPP, please refer to https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/economic-mobility-pathways-pilot/immigrate/eligibility.html . In addition to meeting the general requirements for the EMPP, you must also be eligible for one of the following economic immigration programmes:
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)
Education Mobility:
University Corridors for Refugees (UNICORE):
UNICORE 4.0 is promoted by 32 Italian universities with the support of UNHCR, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Caritas Italiana, Diaconia Valdese, Centro Astalli and other partners. It aims to increase opportunities for refugees, including those residing in South Africa, to continue their higher education in Italy.
Selected students will be exempt from tuition fees at the universities participating in the programme and will receive financial support for plane tickets and visa-related expenses, as well as a study grant to help them during their stay in Italy.
The selection process for admission will be carried out by and is the sole responsibility of the individual universities, not UNHCR. To learn more about the selection criteria please visit the dedicated page at https://services.unhcr.org/opportunities/education-opportunities/university-corridors-refugees-unicore-40 .
University Access Counselling Programme with Duolingo:
Duolingo is an education company whose language-learning app is used by over 500 million people worldwide. Its English assessment exam is taken by thousands of students annually as they apply to education programmes around the world.
The University Access Counselling Program is a partnership between UNHCR and Duolingo. Under this program, Duolingo employs a full-time university access advisor who in 2022 selected 25 refugee students from four different countries of asylum, including South Africa, to work with them on applying to universities for admission in the 2023 academic year. Selected students will be assisted by the advisor in securing offers of admission with full financial aid. They will also receive settling-in stipends and will have their costs for visas and airfare covered by Duolingo. UNHCR does not play a part in the selection process for this programme, which is carried out by Duolingo.
NEW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR RECOGNISED REFUGEES
Université pour les Réfugiés (UNIV’R):
The UNIV’R programme provides refugees (in the country where they are recognized as refugees) who wish to pursue a Master’s degree within a higher education institute in France the opportunity to do so. Under the programme, selected refugees will benefit from administrative, social and financial support (including tuition waivers, travel to France and monthly subsistence stipends) for the entire duration of the degree.
The selection process for admissions will be carried out by and is the sole responsibility of the participating universities, not UNHCR.
To apply to the second edition of the programme (2023), please visit https://services.unhcr.org/opportunities/education-opportunities/couloir-universitaire-pour-les-refugies-vers-la-france-programme-univr (valid until the end of the application period on 2 April 2023).
Calls for application for future editions of the programme will be available on https://services.unhcr.org/opportunities/ .