An innovative reciprocity system design
for improving Refugees’ and asylum seekers’ employability
by uniting communities in new interactive manners

The project aims to explore a collaborative model under legislation restrictions and social difficulties, which unites stakeholders and refugees’/asylum seekers’ talents to improve their employability and live with self-reliance and dignity.

Arriving in a safe third country is another start of challenges. The border of countries should not be another boundary.

From crises that happen until they arrive in safe third countries, people forced to flee their homes, families, and countries must encounter countless difficulties. However, there is a common misconception that arriving in a safe third country is equivalent to the end of a fleeing journey. In reality, it is just another start. They have faced various cruel issues that significantly hinder their well-being and social integration in host countries—for example, asylum backlog, low living quality, and lack of resources and support. As José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen and a humanist, said, “Build longer tables, not higher walls.” As host countries, it’s essential to have sound policies and plans to cater to refugees and asylum seekers.

Employability helps them transcend the label of ‘refugee’ and become contributing members of their new communities

To align with UNHCR’s ultimate goal, identifying and supporting durable solutions that enable refugees to rebuild their self-reliant lives safely and with dignity. Improving employability plays a vital effect which is significant for empowering and giving them opportunities to establish a colourful and stable life in the host country with dignity, autonomy, and purpose. Additionally, it contributes to host communities’ social, economic, and cultural enrichment through refugees’ and asylum seekers’ positive attitudes and various talents.

Unfortunately, refugees are more likely to be unemployed and impoverished, even with professional degrees. Asylum seekers have been suffering in an even harsher situation as they do not initially have the right to work in the U.K. Even charity workers conveyed frustration and said we have less can do for asylum seekers.

Societies and communities have never been more urgent

Even so, I still see refugee communities show numerous strengths from their incredibly positive attitudes and supportive solid connection. Moreover, I suppose new roles and innovative interactive manners in the ecosystem have immense potential to transform challenges into opportunities, promoting inclusive growth, reducing marginalisation, and amplifying humanity’s true spirit in providing refugees and asylum seekers equal opportunities to flourish in their new life.

So, I wonder what alternative opportunities are under the legislation restrictions and social difficulties, which effectively unite different service sectors and profoundly take advantage of refugees and asylum seekers’ intrinsic talents to improve their employability to live with self-reliance and dignity eventually?

WE CAN HELP CommunLiNK, a reciprocity platform designed based on community engagement and time banking operation

Refugees’ and asylum seekers’ positive attitudes and talents motivate me to think of how to amplify the value of their time, paid efforts, and talents. “TIME” popped into my mind. This platform utilises the universal parameter “Time” as currency and adopts the practice of time banking to conduct any deal in an equal environment autonomously to realise the sense of affluence, even opportunities, and maintain positive momentum. Specifically,

• WE CAN HELP | Volunteer
  Demanders can ask for any help by paying time currency; on the other hand, providers can contribute their time and efforts to fulfil demands or refer to someone or organisations they know can help.
• LET’s CONNECT | Community
  Communities can create by various demands, talents, and groups which to let users engage with each other without barriers.
• INVESTING YOUR FUTURE | Investment
  The platform connects to resources. Users need to pay for training which implies investing in their future and adding value to their spending time. Nevertheless, they’ll receive time credit as rewards to be saved into an investment account to create positive incentives and foster intrinsic motivation.
• EVERY EFFORT COUNTS | Talent
  Every user has full autonomy to create and edit their intro and won’t be restricted by any labels to implement equality practically. The platform will also document all experiences automatically.

Once the platform establishes its authenticity among industries and societies, it can utilise the supply chain globally, from businesses and products to consumers, to create more job opportunities, sustaining a long-term impact.