In 2021, UNHCR delivered seed capital to around 1,240 entrepreneurs, and supported the formalization of 33 small businesses. According to the impact assessment for entrepreneurship initiatives supported by UNHCR, over 75% of small businesses were women-owned, promoting economic independence and self-sufficiency, in line with SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
UNHCR and its partners oriented some 1,870 Venezuelan refugees, asylum seekers and migrants on employability, and advised over 200 on improving their job profiles, and supported profile development via access to technical training. UNHCR supported participants in upskilling during a down economy through various technical training opportunities. Overall, some 100 refugee and migrants in five regions accessed courses in electricity, electronics repair, sales, agriculture, beauty, gastronomy, and fashion, through the Centro de Educación Técnica y Productiva del Perú (CETPRO) and the Fe y Alegría network. Technical training scholarships were given to over 40 individuals in Arequipa, Lima, and Trujillo, while 300 more completed virtual courses via Coursera. Employability training with Regional Labor Directorates of the Ministry of Labor in Arequipa, Tacna and Tumbes informed the people we serve about accessing employment services.
Due to COVID-19, revalidation efforts focused on health professionals while other professions will be considered in 2022. Of the cases assisted outside of the COVID-19 response, UNHCR supported 175 health professionals (doctors, nurses, psychologists, nutritionists, dentists) to revalidate their diplomas before professional boards in Peru (111 in Lima and 64 in Trujillo). The remaining balance of 535 to match the total of 715 health professionals reported in the sections above corresponds to Venezuelan refugees, asylum seekers and migrants supported through COVID-19 response funds.
According to the Equilibrium-CenDe Survey 2021, over 40% of Peru's Venezuelan population had completed post-secondary training, yet only 11% were able to revalidate their credentials, and only one in five were working in their profession. According to the World Bank report 2020, only six percent were working under a formal contract. Considering the above, revalidation activities allowed highly skilled Venezuelans to practice their profession, thus allowing them and their families access to higher wages, greater levels of dignity, and overall better life opportunities, in line with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Employer training workshops were held with private entrepreneurs in Arequipa, Tacna and Tumbes, and UNHCR partners managed to place 30 refugees and migrants in jobs with eight companies. Through its partner HIAS, UNHCR trained staff members from 22 financial institutions in best practice alternatives for financial inclusion of refugees and migrants.
UNHCR supported 17 entrepreneurship fairs (with over 300 businesses) and five employment fairs in Lima, Piura, Tacna and Tumbes.
Through its partners, UNHCR assisted some 300 refugees, asylum seekers and migrants with opening bank accounts, 30 with accessing microloans, and trained 400 persons on financial literacy and accessing financial products. Besides, UNHCR and HIAS supported 122 families in Metropolitan Lima through the Graduation Model. By December 2021, some 20 families had graduated, meaning they were able to maintain 352 soles income for three months, save at least five percent of their income, and ensure eating three meals per day.
Jointly with HIAS, UNHCR co-led the Decent Work Committee of the GTRM Integration working group to implement training on gender mainstreaming in entrepreneurship with the Municipality of Lima. Additional advocacy promoted formalization and tax declaration with the National Tax and Customs Administration (SUNAT) and National Public Registry (SUNARP). UNHCR addressed barriers to the recognition of refugee and migrant status documents with the National Superintendency of Migration (SNM) mainly through advocacy activities, the implementation of an assessment of private and public institutions and the creation of a guide highlighting the different types of valid documentation for refugees and migrants. These guidelines are being used by the SNM and the Secretary of Banks and Insurance for advocacy purposes with financial institutions in Peru, in order to improve access to financial services and products.