HDP Nexus for Forced Displacement Response
Lessons from the joint UNHCR–GIZ study on operationalising the Global Compact on Refugees
Good Practices
HDP Nexus for Forced Displacement Response
Lessons from the joint UNHCR–GIZ study on operationalising the Global Compact on Refugees
© Photo supplied
The project in brief
The project is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It began in February 2022 and ended in August 2025. Between February 2022 and March 2025, UNHCR and GIZ conducted a joint longitudinal study, realized by IOD PARC and the Global Public Policy Institute. The study asked: “How can HDP nexus approaches be used to better respond to forced displacement and put into practice the objectives of the GCR?”. It provides lessons learnt, achievements, and areas requiring improvement in future collaboration, aimed at supporting learning for UNHCR, GIZ, government authorities and humanitarian and development actors.
The project's aims include:
- Understanding: “How can HDP nexus approaches be used to better respond to forced displacement and put into practice the objectives of the GCR?”
- Documenting lessons learnt, achievements, and areas requiring improvement in future HDP collaborations.
- Providing practical recommendations to humanitarian and development actors seeking to engage in HDP partnerships.
Main activities of the Good Practice
The joint UNHCR–GIZ study on applying the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) nexus in displacement contexts has now been finalised and published. Conducted between February 2022 and March 2025, it is the product of a three-year process and has been formally approved by the Steering Committee composed of BMZ, GIZ and UNHCR.
The study combines field missions and follow-ups in Mexico, Mauritania and Mozambique, with desk-based research in Niger, Ethiopia and Uganda. It focuses on UNHCR–GIZ cooperation within the SUN Global Programme to answer the central question: how can HDP nexus approaches be used to better respond to forced displacement and put into practice the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees?
Two main areas of learning are examined: the first on partnership set-up, design, and leverage of comparative advantage; the second on HDP approaches for GCR implementation. The study further analyses the strengths and weaknesses of different implementation models, including transactional, non-transactional and joint approaches. It reviews contributions to collective outcomes, alignment with national planning frameworks, and accountability to affected populations and conflict sensitivity as cross-cutting issues.
The findings are based on document reviews, in-country and desk-based data collection, and extensive workshops with UNHCR and GIZ staff both at headquarters and in the field. Validation workshops and webinars ensured the perspectives of colleagues across levels were reflected.
The study concludes with eleven recommendations and offers practical guidance for future cooperation. Colleagues are encouraged to review the study and share its learnings widely.
Elements which helped facilitate the implementation of the good practice
- The study builds on an iterative process of extensive document reviews, in-country and desk-based data collection, and stakeholder consultations.
- Trust and access to in-country stakeholders, including governments, displaced populations, and host communities.
Partners involved
- BMZ
- GIZ
- UNHCR
- IOD PARC
- Global Public Policy Institute
What challenges were encountered in delivering the project and how were they overcome?
Challenges
Next to good practices, the study also highlights several challenges encountered in applying HDP approaches. Misaligned implementation timelines, gaps in monitoring progress, and the need for stronger coordination structures often complicated efforts to align humanitarian and development responses with government priorities.
At the same time, striking a balance between the needs of refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities proved difficult, particularly in contexts where financial resources were scarce.
Responses at the local level tended to be siloed, sectoral and centralised, however joined-up and sustainable approaches helped to bridge some of these silos.
How they were overcome
Challenges were addressed in a variety of ways depending on the specific context.
In Mauritania and Mozambique, efficiencies were achieved by hiring dedicated project managers to strengthen coordination and implementation. In Mexico, a coordination agreement clarified cooperation terms and improved workflow, easing earlier tensions around roles and responsibilities. Across several contexts, regular meetings, technical exchanges and informal communication channels at all levels supported real-time problem-solving and helped bridge differences between humanitarian and development approaches.
Results of the Good Practice
The study shows that SUN-GP has supported host governments in integrating refugee support into national development frameworks, fostering long-term planning aimed at the inclusion of refugees in national systems and economies. It documents contributions to collective outcomes through national resilience-building, infrastructure rehabilitation, and the inclusion of refugees in national services and economies.
Concrete examples illustrate these impacts, such as Peace Circles in Mexico, gender-based violence services in cooperation with local governments in Mozambique, joint environmental protection planning in Mauritania, and the integration of women into workforce initiatives in Niger.
In what way does the good practice meet one or more of the four objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees?
Objective 1: Ease the pressures on host countries
The study shows how HDP nexus approaches contribute to the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees.
By supporting host governments in integrating refugee support into national development frameworks, they help ease pressures on host countries.
Objective 2: Enhance refugee self-reliance
By enhancing the socio-economic integration and self-reliance of refugees and host communities, they strengthen self-reliance.
Objective 4: Support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity
And by contributing to social cohesion, applying conflict sensitivity, and promoting peacebuilding, they support conditions in countries of origin for safe and dignified return.
Next steps
The study has been finalized, its learnings have informed the cooperation and joint projects among BMZ, GIZ and UNHCR. The focus will be on distributing lessons learned and sharing good practices.
Contact the project
Refugee Inclusion Accelerator