Advocacy, Activism and Funding Contracts

The purpose of refugee agencies is to provide material aid to refugees and asylum seekers, advocate for them, defend their rights and represent their views and interests to the public and the government. Refugees, and asylum seekers in particular, are exceptionally unpopular in the public imagination as a result of a media and political discourse that depicts them as dishonest, opportunistic and a burden on UK society. Therefore, the work of refugee agencies is highly politicised.

Most refugee agencies receive the majority of their income from the government in the form of a grant or contract to deliver services. The political dimension of their work could be seen to stand at odds with their status as government contractors in that their loyalty is divided between their funder and their clients. On the other hand, their close relationship with government decision-makers arguably holds the potential for refugee agencies to influence policy for the benefit of refugees and asylum seekers. 

In the Summer of 2011 I conducted a research study which investigated how refugee agencies' role as government funded partners affects their function as civil society actors. It asked how refugee agencies can be agents of the state as well as agents for change? The key questions which emerged were:

• Does government funding create opportunities or barriers for refugee agencies to influence law and policy?
• What impact does government funding have on refugee agencies’ lobbying voice?
• What impact does government funding have on refugee agencies’ service provision?
• To what extent are refugee agencies independent from the government that funds them?
• How do refugee agencies envisage and enact their role as civil society groups?

The findings are summarised in a briefing paper in the Reports & Publication page of this blog: Research Findings Briefing Paper

Author Biography:

Anna Dixie has worked in the refugee sector as an adviser for five years. She recently completed her Master’s in Refugee Studies at City University, London and currently works for Refugee and Migrant Network Sutton (link to blog http://refugeesutton.blogspot.com/).