Refugee leaders and partners in a candid working discussion
APNOR Asia Pacific Network of Refugees

A world where refugees shape their futures.

We are a refugee-led network building strong initiatives and leaders across the Asia Pacific — shifting power so refugees lead the decisions that affect their lives.

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Dignity Solidarity Resilience Belonging
Who we are

By refugees, for refugees

There is an urgent need to improve how the world responds to forced displacement in the Asia Pacific — the region that hosts over half of the world's displaced people.

We work as part of a global movement to create a world where refugees lead the decisions that affect their lives, in a meaningful and equitable manner. The Asia Pacific Network of Refugees is building a network of strong, refugee-led initiatives and leaders across the region — shifting power so refugees hold greater influence in the systems and institutions of the wider sector.

Our work stands on five interlinked pillars, each one supporting the others.

Meaningful participationDignityInclusion Knowledge sharing & learningAgency & independence
APNOR delegation in discussion
Our goals

Vision, Mission & Value

Vision

A world where refugees rebuild and thrive. A world where refugees actively shape their futures, restoring hope, dignity, and opportunity for themselves and their communities.

Mission

Supporting refugees to lead, rebuild, and empower. We are a refugee-led organisation working alongside communities to deliver life-changing programs that help refugees take control of their lives.

Value

Our principles for refugees and RLOs prioritise meaningful participation, dignity, inclusion, knowledge sharing & learning, and agency & independence.

Our theory of change

Five interlinked pillars

Our work is built on five pillars — each one interlinked and supporting the others — to empower refugee-led initiatives and improve responses to displacement.

Pillar 01

Grassroots engagement & capacity sharing

Building strategic, equitable partnerships and collaboration among refugees and wider stakeholders.

The outcome we seekRefugees and non-refugee stakeholders are well-connected and collaborate on equal terms.
Pillar 02

Resource mobilisation

Mobilising resources to support refugee-led initiatives and organisations, and strengthening their sustainability.

The outcome we seekRefugee-led initiatives are more effective and sustainable.
Pillar 03

Life-saving support

Empowering refugee-led initiatives to deliver essential support — food, shelter and medical care — in their own communities.

The outcome we seekRefugees in crisis have timely access to essential support.
Pillar 04

Advocacy & research

Amplifying refugee voices, enabling collective action, and advocating for refugee self-representation in policy and research.

The outcome we seekRefugees are at the centre of policy-making and research about refugees.
Pillar 05

Empowerment & leadership

Building stronger capability and sustainable systems for meaningful refugee engagement among non-refugee stakeholders.

The outcome we seekRefugees have greater decision-making power in matters that affect them.
What we do

Programs turning power into practice

From regional summits to grassroots hubs, our programs connect refugees, share knowledge and put refugee leadership at the centre of the response.

Delegates gathered at the Asia Pacific Summit of Refugees 2024
Flagship event

Asia Pacific Summit of Refugees (APSOR)

A biannual summit connecting refugees and non-refugee stakeholders across the region to set shared priorities and drive collective action.

Skills Enhancement Program mentees in a group working session
Capacity sharing

Skills Enhancement Program

A six-month training and mentoring program on program and organisational management for refugee-led organisations.

Refugee-led organisation members after a learning session
Grassroots

Local Hubs & Consultations

National networks of refugees and refugee-led organisations shaping community priorities.

Panel on financing refugee leadership at the Global Refugee Forum
Funding

Refugee Leadership Alliance

Mobilising sustainable funding and connecting refugee-led initiatives with donors and partners.

Launch of the Independent Declaration on Meaningful Participation at the Global Refugee Forum
Systems change

Meaningful Participation Index

Training and an index helping stakeholders measure and improve meaningful refugee participation.

Our impact & the Refugee Leadership Alliance

Resourcing refugee-led change across the region

Through the Refugee Leadership Alliance (RLA), we move pooled funding directly to refugee-led organisations — no intermediaries — so they can lead the response in their own communities.

$650K
raised and granted RLO-to-RLO to date
41
grants provided directly to RLOs
35
RLOs gained direct access to funding
14
countries reached by RLA grantees
50%+
of the world's refugees hosted in the Asia Pacific
2018
founded at the Asia Pacific Summit of Refugees
18
women-led initiatives funded by the RLA
13
local hubs across the Asia Pacific

Source: RLA Impact Report. See the full RLA breakdown

The outcomes we seek

Shifting power to refugees

Connected on equal terms

Refugees and non-refugee stakeholders build stronger connections and mutual understanding, collaborating as equals.

Effective & sustainable initiatives

Refugee-led organisations gain the skills, tools and resources to manage their programs and secure lasting funding.

Timely essential support

Refugees in crisis receive timely, useful support delivered by frontline responders who know their communities.

Voices in policy & research

Refugee priorities are understood and prioritised in key policy forums, and evidence shapes decisions.

Greater decision-making power

Stakeholders take practical steps that shift power towards refugees in the decisions that affect them.