The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched the PROSPECTS Learning Portal, a digital platform designed to make years of operational experience on forced displacement actionable and accessible for practitioners, policymakers, and development partners. The launch event, held in Geneva, featured a learning exchange that emphasized experiential learning and reflection on practical applications in displacement contexts. The portal draws from the ILO report Responding to Forced Displacement – Lessons from the International Labour Organization’s Engagement in the PROSPECTS Programme (2019–2023), which documented key experiences across eight countries and ten thematic areas, including education, employment, enterprise development, and social protection.
Unlike static reports, the new portal offers a dynamic and interactive approach to knowledge sharing. According to Meredith Byrne, Knowledge Management and Learning Officer at ILO, the platform was developed to transform insights into practical, easily navigable resources. Users can filter information by country, intervention, or thematic focus, allowing them to quickly identify relevant lessons and tools for their specific context. This functionality ensures that the platform serves as both a knowledge repository and a practical guide for action.
During the launch, a live panel discussion showcased how lessons from the field have shaped ILO’s work in various countries. Mohammad Aladwan from Jordan highlighted the impact of Job Search Clubs in helping refugees overcome barriers such as limited professional networks and unfamiliar labour markets. In Kenya, Liliyanne Ndida shared insights from the Camel Milk Value Chain initiative in Garissa County, which supports job creation and local economic growth. Eric Carlson, a Disability Specialist, emphasized the importance of integrating disability inclusion measures in all PROSPECTS interventions, citing examples from Ethiopia.
Concluding the event, ILO PROSPECTS Global Programme Manager Nick Grisewood encouraged continued engagement with the platform. He described the portal as “a first start” that should grow to include new technical areas and country contexts. Grisewood urged practitioners to contribute their experiences, ensuring the platform evolves into an inclusive and comprehensive global resource to guide effective, evidence-based responses to forced displacement.
