A refugee is a refugee on average for 20 years. It’s important that they have opportunities to build skills, earn a living and invest in their communities. HIAS' livelihood programs ensure that refugees have safe economic opportunities to earn sustainable income and rebuild their lives. Our programs are market-oriented, protection-focused, and reach the most vulnerable.

With a focus on economic empowerment of vulnerable groups, such as LGBTI, young women, and survivors of gender-based violence, HIAS global programs are geared at improving self-reliance through:

• Business-skills training for in-demand jobs and strengthening connections in local labor markets so that prospective employers can more easily find employees with the needed skills.
   
• Encouraging new entrepreneurs and helping local businesses to grow through mentorship, financial management training, technical support and access to grants and loans.
   
• Establishing healthy financial habits so that clients save to cushion against shocks - such as family illness - that could throw refugees back into poverty.
   
• Providing cash assistance to help refugees meet immediate nutritional and shelter needs, while at the same time investing in building vocational or business skills.
   
• Establishing home-gardens to grow nutritious and diverse vegetables and fruits to improve food security.
   
• Helping refugees build social relationships with peers to learn and save together, so refugees can rely on friends for social, financial and protection support.  
   
• Working with the private sector to establish value-added projects that build a human talent pool and provide refugees with skills and on-site trainings needed to advance into marketable careers.
   
• Implementing the graduation model to lift ultra-poor refugees out of poverty through a combination of financial services, asset-transfers, skills building and regular coaching.