Promote Economic Empowerment

Through our economic empowerment work, we ensure refugees have safe economic opportunities to earn sustainable income and contribute to their communities.

When people flee violence and persecution, they leave their whole lives behind and have to start over from scratch. Learn how refugees around the world are not only rebuilding their lives and careers but also giving back to their new communities. (SideXSide for HIAS)

Overview

One of the most important opportunities for refugees is to build skills, earn a living, and invest in their communities. HIAS’ economic empowerment programs ensure that refugees have safe economic opportunities to earn sustainable income and rebuild their lives. Our programs are market-oriented, protection-focused, and concentrate on economic empowerment of all refugees, including women and survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

40,000+

people accessed our economic inclusion services and support in 2024.

Strategies

Our programs help refugees and their host communities build self-reliance, increase resilience, regain dignity, and provide opportunities for independent and meaningful futures. Access to sustainable livelihoods is an important tool for meeting refugees’ needs for protection, food security, housing, health, and other services.

HIAS' economic inclusion programs aim to:

  • Equip displaced people with the skills, tools, and knowledge needed to navigate local labor markets through job readiness workshops, vocational training, and financial literacy programs.

  • Provide seed funding, credit-building tools, and business development support to help displaced individuals launch and grow small businesses, fostering long-term economic stability.

  • Build partnerships with employers and industry leaders to create job placement pipelines, mentorship opportunities, and inclusive hiring practices that connect refugees to sustainable livelihoods.

Countries

Chad
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
Greece
Israeli flag
Israel
Kenya
United States
Venezuela

Impact

Mohamed Alshalabi, proprietor of Shiyra’s Sweets in Ann Arbor, Michigan, prepares baklava. (Amanda Mae for JFS of Washtenaw County)

Deep Dive: The Economic Impact of Refugee Resettlement

There is a common misconception that refugees are an economic drain on the U.S. economy. In fact, the opposite is true.

Read more

Resources

Labor Market Assessment for Refugees in Moldova

The overall scope of this study is to carry out a Labor Market Assessment for refugees located in the Republic of Moldova, to provide evidence-based information for quality program design. The study was conducted at the request of HIAS Moldova.

Read

Labor Market Assessment of Ukrainian Refugees in Romania

A new labor market assessment to identify unexplored, new, or adapted economic inclusion pathways for Ukrainian refugees in Bucharest, Constanta, Galati, and Braila.

Download report

Together, we can help create a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity.

Your gift will help us provide vital services to refugees and asylum seekers and advocate for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

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