South African Refugee Leadership Network

Lived Experience at the Frontlines of Development

At SARLN, we believe that lasting change begins with the people closest to the challenges. We champion localisation, community-led development, and refugee leadership.

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Transforming Displacement into Leadership

Across South Africa's cities, townships, and hard-to-reach communities, our members—refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, and vulnerable host communities—are leading the way in creating safer, stronger, and more dignified lives.

Community-Led Development

Ensuring that those most affected by displacement are actively shaping the policies, systems, and solutions that impact their futures.

Protection Structures

Strengthening protection structures and driving inclusive participation to create safer environments for displaced communities.

Sustainable Initiatives

Supporting sustainable, grassroots initiatives that transform displacement from vulnerability into leadership and collective impact.
"Together, we are shifting the narrative: from beneficiaries to partners, from vulnerability to leadership, and from exclusion to meaningful change."
-- SARLN Mission Statement

Our Impact Across South Africa

From strengthening national infrastructure to empowering individual leaders, our work creates lasting change in communities across all nine provinces.

9

Provinces

National Infrastructure Strengthening

We expanded our national presence, building a stronger and more coordinated movement across the country.

300+

Leaders

A Growing Leadership Network

Our Leadership Table has grown to more than 300 refugee, stateless, and displaced leaders across all nine provinces.

22

RLOs Funded

Empowering Refugee-Led Organisations through Direct Funding

We provided direct funding to 22 RLOs, enabling them to reach those left furthest behind. This support has transformed thousands of lives, and lasting relationships have been built.

3,000+

People Trained

Training and Capacity Building

We have trained over 3,000 refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, and other displaced individuals.

100%

Evidence-Based

Evidence-Driven Research

Our strengthened Research Commission is generating clear, evidence-based insights that guide programme improvement.

70

Accountability Mechanism

PSEAH, MEAL and Safeguarding

Seventy members completed the Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and Safeguarding course.

900+

Advocates

National & International Advocacy

Over 900 refugees, asylum seekers, and community members joined our national advocacy platform.

47

Leaders Supported

Community Leaders' Mental Wellbeing

SARLN has prioritised mental wellbeing support of 47 Community Leaders through peer circles and trauma-informed practice.

Movement of People on the Move

Over 900 refugees, asylum seekers, and community members joined our national advocacy platform. Together with partners—including Scalabrini Centre, PILnet, Lawyers for Human Rights, and Relon Kenya—we organised six major conferences to defend and advance the rights of displaced communities.

“Together with our partners, we stand with people with lived experience—listening to them, supporting them, and advocating alongside them as they lead and implement their own solutions to complex social challenges.”

Major Conferences
0
Platform Members
0 +
Key partners
0
Provinces Covered
0

Join the Movement for Change

Be part of a network that transforms displacement into leadership, vulnerability into strength, and exclusion into meaningful participation.

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