United Nations Volunteers HQ October 2018 — March 2019 France · Sweden · Hungary · Spain
◆ Research

Volunteers in Europe's refugee response

Methodology and coordination of a four-country mapping study on volunteer organisations supporting refugees and migrants in Europe.

Period
October 2018 — March 2019
Role
Research Methodology Lead & Coordinator
Location
France · Sweden · Hungary · Spain
Donor
UNV / UNHCR
Team
1 lead + 4 country researchers

Commissioned by UNV headquarters in Bonn, this study mapped how volunteer-led organisations were filling gaps in Europe's refugee response between 2015 and 2018 — and what that improvised infrastructure could teach UN agencies and member states.

I designed the research methodology, recruited and managed four country researchers, and coordinated the editorial process across institutions with very different ideas about what constituted evidence. The final mapping covered 80+ organisations across France, Sweden, Hungary and Spain.

"80+ volunteer organisations mapped across 4 countries"

The report fed into UNV's strategic planning on volunteerism in crisis contexts and informed positions for the Global Refugee Compact dialogue.

What I delivered

  1. Comparative research methodology
  2. Four country case studies
  3. Synthesis report
  4. Strategic recommendations for UNV / member states