ILO PROSPECTS launches learning portal to transform forced displacement response

© ILO

© ILO

GENEVA (ILO News) – The ILO PROSPECTS Learning Portal was launched, making years of operational experience actionable and transferable for practitioners, policymakers and development partners. The launch was marked by a learning exchange, which focused on experiential learning and reflection on the relevance in forced displacement contexts.

The web-based portal builds on the insights captured in the report Responding to Forced Displacement – Lessons from the International Labour Organization’s Engagement in the PROSPECTS Programme (2019–2023). This report documented operational experience across eight countries and ten thematic areas, broadly grouped under Education and Training, Employment, Enterprise Development and Social Protection.

Moving beyond static learning

Meredith Byrne, Knowledge Management and Learning Officer, explained, “While the initial report was instrumental in documenting experiences, a dynamic approach to learning was deemed necessary. The portal was developed to transform insights into practical, easily navigable and interactive resources.”

Anticipating the needs of varied users, the portal allows practitioners to filter and access region or intervention-specific learnings. While explaining approaches, it also underlines their strengths and challenges. An interactive discovery tool allows users to filter information by country, intervention and cross-cutting themes – helping readers quickly arrive at the desired information. This ensures lessons are immediately relevant and practical.

© ILO/Ala'a Al Sukhni

© ILO/Ala'a Al Sukhni

Lessons from the field: Adapting interventions

Following the launch, a live panel discussion featuring ILO practitioners demonstrated how experiential learning shaped their work across different contexts, exploring lessons now captured within the portal’s interactive case studies and guidelines.

Mohammad Aladwan, National Programme Coordinator for ILO PROSPECTS Jordan, highlighted the relevance of Job Search Clubs in a context where refugees face challenges like limited professional networks and unfamiliar hiring practices.

Liliyanne Ndida, National Programme Coordinator for Enterprise Development in Kenya, discussed the work to generate jobs and support local economic development in Garissa County, through the Camel Milk Value Chain.

Eric Carlson, Disability Specialist, addressed the critical area of disability inclusion across all interventions, focusing on disability inclusion measures supported by the PROSPECTS programme in Ethiopia.

A call for continued engagement

In closing the event, Nick Grisewood, ILO PROSPECTS Global Programme Manager, reiterated that the portal is a "first start" that must continue to expand and grow, incorporating other technical areas and different country contexts.

“I urge practitioners to use and socialize the portal, sharing their experiences to ensure the platform becomes more integrated and inclusive and helps others avoid challenges faced at the start of development programmes that address forced displacement.”

For more information and to begin exploring transferable lessons, visit the ILO PROSPECTS Learning Portal.