Brazil is currently home to over 824,000 forcibly displaced and stateless individuals from more than 150 nationalities, with Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans, Afghans and Syrians comprising the largest groups. Brazil has also received many Indigenous persons who were forced to flee the social and economic degradation of their homelands, crossing the border in search of international protection. These populations face unique challenges, and among the main ethnic groups present in the country are the Warao, Pemón, Kariña, Eñepá and Wayúu. Brazil’s progressive legal and policy framework—including simplified refugee status determination procedures and complementary stay arrangements—has positioned the country as a regional leader in refugee protection and integration. Its open-border policy ensures access to formal employment, education, healthcare and social assistance, regardless of the documentation pathway chosen by displaced individuals. The Multi-Year Multi-Partner Strategy (MYMPS) for Brazil (2026–2029) builds on this foundation, aiming to strengthen local integration as the primary durable solution for forcibly displaced populations. The strategy supports the implementation of the forthcoming National Policy for Migrants, Refugees and Stateless Persons, expected in the second semester of 2025, which will enhance rights and streamline access to services across all levels of the Government of Brazil (GoB). Key government-led initiatives, such as “Operation Welcome” and the internal relocation programme (interiorização), have already facilitated the voluntary relocation of over 144,000 Venezuelans to more than 1,000 municipalities. These efforts have contributed to high levels of stabilisation, with 96% of Venezuelans expressing a desire to remain in Brazil. Additionally, Brazil’s resettlement and complementary pathways programme for Afghans exemplifies a tailored approach to integration, with close follow-up on beneficiaries to ensure long-term success.

Despite these advances, significant challenges persist. Newly arrived refugees often face language barriers, limited knowledge of Brazilian institutions and high levels of poverty. Many live in precarious housing conditions in marginalised areas, where they are vulnerable to organised crime and economic shocks. Refugee women and girls face additional barriers, including higher unemployment, reduced access to education and increased exposure to violence and exploitation. UNHCR’s role is central to the strategy’s success. It will continue to support Brazilian authorities in policy development and implementation, while mobilising a broad coalition of actors—including UN agencies, development partners, private sector companies, universities and refugee-led organisations. By 2024, over 210,000 Venezuelans and Haitians had secured formal employment, and more than 50 universities and 120 refugee-led organisations were actively engaged in refugee support initiatives.

Considering the operational context above, UNHCR Brazil prioritised the following overarching objectives for its new Multi-Year Strategy 2026 – 2029: a) Continuous step-up of solutions-oriented programmes to stabilise and enable a quality integration of forcibly displaced persons; b) Implementation of public policies, particularly building on the upcoming National policy on Migration, Asylum and Statelessness and the work of State Committees for Refugees; c) Continuous support to authorities to ensure a favourable protection environment on access to the territory, RSD procedures and complementary pathways; d) Support the government response to the Venezuela situation through “Operation Welcome”; e) Community empowerment and participation of refugees in all matters affecting their lives; The objectives above are guided by the mainstreaming of age, gender and diversity (AGD) approaches, as well as by climate and sustainability integration in all programmes. With a favourable economic environment and a strong legal framework, Brazil is well-positioned to serve as a model for refugee integration. The MYMPS 2026–2029 seeks to consolidate these gains, address persistent vulnerabilities, and ensure that forcibly displaced and stateless people can rebuild their lives with dignity and opportunity.

Sector(s) and area(s) of specialization 

• Camp Coordination & Camp Management
  • Camp management
• Durable Solutions
  • Integration, Reintegration
• Livelihoods
  • Co-existence with local communities
  • Community mobilization
  • Self reliance
  • Technical and vocational education and training
• Protection
  • Access to asylum
  • Family re-unification
  • Gender based violence
  • Legal assistance and access to justice
  • Protection - general
  • Registration and profiling
• Social Policy and Advocacy
  • Policy advocacy
  • Social policy and advocacy - general
  • Social protection and multidimensional poverty

Expected Results

• Outcome Area 1 (OA1): Access to the Territory, Registration and Documentation
  • Outcome statement: Forcibly displaced and stateless persons have enhanced access to territory, fair and efficient status determination procedures, and documentation.
    • Output 1: Protection-sensitive entry systems at key border points are established.
    • Output 2: Authorities and protection networks expand access and improve documentation services.
    • Output 3: Authorities’ capacity to implement fair and efficient Refugee Status Determination/Statelessness (RSD/SSD) procedures is enhanced.
• Outcome Area 6 (OA6): Safety and Access to Justice
  • Outcome statement: Forcibly displaced and stateless people have access to information and public services to address their protection risks and specific needs.
    • Output 4: Forcibly displaced and stateless persons receive information on family reunification procedures, as well as counselling and referrals to address their identified specific protection needs.
    • Output 5: National and local authorities responsible for the delivery of services are better prepared to assist refugees and stateless persons, considering their age, gender and diversity.
    • Output 6: Awareness raising activities, Communication with Communities (CwC) channels, and the operationalization of Community-based Complaint Mechanisms (CBCMs) contribute to prevention and risk mitigation of Gender-Based Violence, Violence Against Children and SEA.
• Outcome Area 8 (OA8): Well-being and Basic Needs
  • Outcome statement: Forcibly displaced and stateless persons have their urgent basic needs timely met upon arrival.
    • Output 7: Forcibly displaced and stateless persons at heightened risk receive life-saving emergency assistance upon arrival and have adequate access to protection services and assistance.
• Outcome Area 13 (OA13): Self-Reliance, Economic Inclusion and Livelihoods
  • Outcome statement: Forcibly displaced and stateless persons have increased and more qualified access to employment/decent work, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship opportunities and education (high/technical/vocational).
    • Output 8: Forcibly displaced and stateless persons are offered high-skilled job opportunities and increased entrepreneurship opportunities through expanded employment networks and sensitisation of private sector companies.
    • Output 9: Institutions at all levels (national, state, local and government/private/academia) increase vocational training offers and ensure access to technical and higher education for refugees and stateless persons.
• Outcome Area 16 (OA16): Local Integration and Other Local Solutions
  • Outcome statement: Forcibly displaced and stateless persons benefit from public policies on housing, social protection, language courses, education, health and community participation and naturalisation.
    • Output 11: Forcibly displaced persons are relocated through the interiorization process, gaining access to better opportunities that support vulnerable groups and foster local integration.
    • Output 12: Forcibly displaced and stateless persons are increasingly included in public policies and programmes on access to education, healthcare, language courses and housing.
    • Output 13: Forcibly displaced persons are informed and assisted to apply for naturalisation.
• Outcome Area OA7: Community Engagement and Women’s Empowerment
  • Outcome statement: Forcibly displaced and stateless persons are supported to self-organise, engage in community spaces, participate in decision-making, and promote peaceful coexistence and climate resilience.
    • Output 14: Forcibly displaced and stateless person are empowered to engage in public, civil, and community participation spaces, influence policy frameworks and supporting their communities.
    • Output 15: Forcibly displaced and stateless persons are included in national climate resilience efforts, with better access to clean energy, sustainable waste management, and green infrastructure in hosting areas.

Locations

• Brazil
  • Goias

Selection Criteria

• Sector expertise and experience
  • Sector expertise and experience: the required specific skills, sector specialists, performance, knowledge, material and human resources. Knowledge of relevant protection, humanitarian principles and the approach to Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD). Approach to the participation of forcibly displaced and stateless persons in the Programme Cycle. Partner’s PSEA capacity self-assessment and data protection and information security self-assessment have been completed and submitted (where relevant to the partnership). Mainstreaming measures to integrate environmental sustainability within proposed activities. Environmental considerations are aligned to the objectives of UNHCR’s Strategic Framework for Climate Action.
• Project management
  • Project management: ability to effectively deliver project objectives with robust management systems/processes, and meet the expectations of all stakeholders, as well as provide accountability mechanisms and sound financial management, taking into account the audit results of the previous UNHCR-funded projects, past performance and the external audit of partners’ financial statements and pending open audit recommendations (accounts receivables and internal control related recommendations) where applicable. Clear segregation of duties policy, as well as the integration of risk management; adequate control over procurement, of assets and inventory (if applicable).
• Local experience and presence
  • Local experience and presence: ongoing programme in the area of operation; local knowledge; participation in inter-agency coordination fora, engaging forcibly displaced and stateless persons in the programme cycle; trust from local communities; local presence; partner policy on community relations; feedback and complaint mechanisms for affected communities; self-organized groups of forcibly displaced and stateless persons; and other factors that would facilitate access to and better understanding of the affected communities and that would reduce administrative difficulties.

For more information, visit UNHCR.