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.

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 empowerment 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
Ecuador
Greece
Israeli flag
Israel
Kenya
United States
Venezuela

Impact

HIAS Ecuador hosts the job fair “Conectando Talentos con Oportunidades,” organized as part of an employability initiative connecting refugees, displaced people, and local Ecuadorians with employers on March 20, 2026 in Quito. (Iriel Corral/HIAS Ecuador)

HIAS Ecuador hosts the job fair “Conectando Talentos con Oportunidades,” organized as part of an employability initiative connecting refugees, displaced people, and local Ecuadorians with employers on March 20, 2026 in Quito. (Iriel Corral/HIAS Ecuador)

Strengthening Employability for Refugees in Ecuador

One of the hardest things to do when moving to a new country is finding a job. For displaced people, the challenge is even harder. In the rush to safety, they’ve often lost certifications and arrive in a new country having to start from scratch. This is where HIAS comes in.

In Ecuador, HIAS partners with UNHCR to connect displaced people with job opportunities. One such applicant, Victoria, struggled at first to fit into her new community and find a job that aligned with her skills. But once she joined HIAS Ecuador’s employability program, she was able to adjust to the cultural differences.

“Adapting to a new country is not easy, but thank God, after a long time and thanks to HIAS’ assistance, opportunities opened up for me to help my family and myself,” Victoria said.

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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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