About R-Space
R-Space is an independent, refugee-led convening running in parallel to the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) Progress Review 2025, formerly known as the High-Level Officials Meeting (HLOM). Designed by refugees for refugees, R-Space centers the voices of forcibly displaced individuals, offering them a platform to shape discourse, propose solutions, and influence international refugee policy from the ground up.
Originally launched during the 2023 GRF, R-Space featured over 40 sessions and emerged as a powerful alternative space where crucial conversations — often missing from the formal GRF agenda — were spotlighted. This year’s R-Space aims to build on that momentum, institutionalizing meaningful participation and centering refugee leadership in global policy conversations.
Why R-Space?
The GRF Progress Review 2025 will examine the progress of pledges made at the 2023 GRF and lay the groundwork for the next forum in 2027. Despite progress in including refugees in global processes, their influence remains limited. R-Space addresses this gap by enabling refugee-led initiatives (RLIs) and allies to set their own agenda, lead critical reflections, and ensure that displacement-affected communities have true ownership over the conversations that shape their futures.
Who Can Apply?
R-Space invites proposals from the following:
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Refugee-Led Initiatives (RLIs): Organizations, networks, or projects founded, led, and governed by refugees or forcibly displaced persons.
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Allied Organizations: Civil society groups, states, NGOs, academic institutions, and donors may apply only in partnership with RLIs.
Proposals that reflect strong refugee leadership, equitable collaboration, and power-sharing will be prioritized.
Eligible Allies May Include:
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Civil society organizations
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National and international NGOs
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Think tanks and universities
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Foundations and philanthropic partners
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Governments and multilateral actors
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Multi-stakeholder platforms
Proposal Objectives
Proposals should align with one or more of the following priorities:
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Analyze the global humanitarian funding crisis and the role of refugee-led efforts in the current “humanitarian reset” amidst rising anti-refugee sentiment.
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Evaluate the impact of meaningful refugee participation (MRP) on programming and policy, while identifying mechanisms to scale it further.
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Explore how refugee-led efforts are advancing the themes and priorities of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR).
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Track progress on pledges from the 2023 GRF and identify gaps or innovations in implementation.
Session Formats
You may propose one of the following formats:
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60 minutes – Small group discussions
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90 minutes – Panels or roundtables
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120 minutes – Workshops or trainings
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Ongoing – Exhibitions or artistic formats
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Other – Creative or experimental structures are welcome
Selection Criteria
All proposals will be reviewed by the R-Space Steering Committee, composed of refugee leaders from around the world. Key selection criteria include:
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Relevance to R-Space and GRF Progress Review 2025 themes
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Degree of refugee leadership in the design and delivery of the session
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Clarity and feasibility of the session’s objectives and structure
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Capacity to deliver the session independently
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit an online proposal form by August 15, 2025. Be prepared to provide the following:
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Title and session description
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Alignment with event themes and goals
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Format and session objectives
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Names of facilitators/speakers (if available)
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Contact and background information of lead organization
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Partner organization details (if any)
Applicants will be notified of outcomes in early September 2025.
Please Note:
R-Space does not provide funding, visa letters, or official travel documentation. Approval of a session does not guarantee entry into Switzerland or visa support. Applicants are fully responsible for ensuring that all participants have the required legal documentation to attend.
Why This Matters
R-Space is more than a side event. It’s a statement of ownership, leadership, and self-representation. If you are a refugee-led initiative or an ally working in solidarity with displaced communities, this is your chance to influence global refugee discourse and help reimagine what inclusive policymaking looks like.
Submit your proposal by August 15, 2025, and help shape the future of global refugee leadership.
For more opportunities, visit opportunitiesforyouth.org.