In May 2024, UNHCR reported 120 million people globally were forcibly displaced, the 12th consecutive annual increase. Most forcibly displaced populations live among host communities that are also struggling with limited economic opportunities, climate-related risks, violence, and even internal displacement themselves. Systems-based approaches offer one solution. A number of initiatives have been launched in recent years with the aim of utilizing systemic approaches to integrate forcibly displaced populations into local economies and host communities, but applying systems strategies in these contexts without adapting interventions to the specific constraints and opportunities of forcibly displaced populations is ineffective.
While there are a number of assessments and guides that explore the theory and the practicalities of using market-systems approaches to expand opportunities for forcibly displaced populations, specific lessons learned from programs and advice on how to adapt strategies are still missing. This paper aims to synthesize the learnings produced from existing interventions into a brief review of what is different about forcibly displaced populations and provide tips on how to implement market systems approaches to foster inclusive system change.
