2011 ORR IDA Conference

2011 IDA Conference was a special event for many reasons: for the first time, the conference was organized within the ORR Consultations, and allowed the IDA grantees to see the broader of picture of ORR's work in refugee resettlement. Eskinder Negash, ORR Director, opened the conference and greeted grantees, partners and presenters. Throughout his speech, and in answering grantees' questions, he outlined the current and future directions in ORR's funding.

The Conference was attended by almost 50 participants, representing 22 IDA programs, and the topics were focused on strengthening the programs to reach the planned obligation objectives, which will allow a maximum number of refugees gain access to quality financial education and asset saving. The grantees reported 56% of obligation level at 6 month point, and some have already reached their goals for the whole year.

What that means for refugees  is that all the funds available to them  to match their savings will be dispersed, and what that means for the communities is that each dollar ORR invests in matched savings will leverage $8 additional dollars (800% leverage). Through the asset purchase, all those funds will be invested locally through home buying, businesses started etc.

Ron Munia, Director of DCS/ORR shared his experiences in refugee asset development, and was available to answer the questions throughout the day.

Yimeem Vu, ORR IDA Grant Officer, greeted the grantees, and updated them  on the recently changed financial requirements. He helped steer the discussions through various regulations and best practices.

The agenda, speakers and presenters, as well as group discussions helped  the grantees learn, share and discuss the successes and challenges. They appreciated the opportunity and rated the event at 90 % satisfaction rate, highest ever, with many  comments that they need more meeting time next year.

The Conference handouts are available at ISED Solutions website:

http://www.isedsolutions.org/publications/refugee-ida/2011-ida-conference