Realising the ‘Right to Live with Dignity’ – Refugee Governance through Deliberation

Challenge

Decades of political stagnation have left Palestine refugee camps in a state of deterioration, with overcrowding and decaying infrastructure. A substantial gap emerged between the limited services provided by UNRWA and the actual developmental needs of residents. Furthermore, top-down decision-making processes had eroded trust between residents and the authorities (Department of Refugee Affairs – DoRA), leaving marginalised groups – particularly women, youth, and people with disabilities – feeling unheard. The challenge was not merely physical reconstruction, but the restoration of ‘agency’ and community resilience amidst a volatile security situation.

The project aimed to institutionalise a participatory approach to local governance. OC Global facilitated the establishment of ‘Camp Improvement Forums (CIFs)’ – inclusive bodies representing diverse community segments – to act as “mini-publics” for deliberative democracy. We supported these forums in conducting social surveys and formulating ‘Camp Improvement Plans (CIPs)’ based on actual needs rather than external agendas. The services included capacity building for DoRA to transition from a controlling body to a facilitator of community-led development, ensuring the methodology’s sustainability.

• Establishment of Inclusive Governance: CIFs were successfully operationalised in 12 camps, giving residents a legitimate platform to determine their own priorities.
• Transformation of Agency: Residents shifted from passive beneficiaries to active owners of their development, independently fundraising and managing community initiatives.
• Crisis Resilience: During military incursions and the post-October 2023 crisis, CIFs spontaneously functioned as emergency response bodies, assessing damage and coordinating aid, proving the high resilience of the community structures established.
• Institutional Reform: DoRA officially adopted the participatory methodology into its strategic plan, securing a pathway for sustainable, democratic camp management.