21st April 2009

In April, TSRC held a joint seminar with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to explore how Migrant and Refugee Community Organisations could be empowered to make a difference.

The role of MRCOs was examined and questions were raised about how they can be categorized. Issues were also raised around how they might influence policy or deliver services, and whether larger charities and capacity building agencies can support small and emerging groups.

The seminar helped inform TSRCs research on below the radar groups, highlighting many questions that need to be explored. For example, why do some groups choose to remain below the policy radar? What are the costs and benefits of being on that radar?

As well as a variety of questions, the seminar highlighted the need for research outputs to be presented in a language that is understandable to policy makers and the third sector, and for the policy relevance of research to be made clear.

For TSRC, the seminar made clear the need for solid research in this area, and reinforced the importance of engaging with practitioners and policy-makers throughout the research process.