South African Refugee-Led Network

The South African Refugee-Led Network (SARLN) is a national network, movement-building platform, and sub-grantee organization established in 2021. SARLN is fundamentally driven by individuals with direct, lived experience of displacement. Its core constituency and leadership are composed of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, and members of vulnerable host communities across South Africa.

SARLN is a registered Not-for-Profit Organisation (NPO 264-784), operating through a membership-based structure. The organization is governed by a Board and supported by an independent Board of Directors and an Executive Management Team, ensuring strong leadership, accountability, and strategic direction.

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  |  Member Organizations

Learn More About Our Work

Our Threefold Identity

SARLN's identity is threefold, encompassing our roles as a network, movement, and subgrantee organization.

As a Network

Coordinating and amplifying the voices of refugee-led organisations across South Africa. We connect, coordinate, and strengthen 62 refugee-led organizations nationwide.

As a Movement

Mobilising collective leadership, advocacy and solidarity that extends beyond national borders. Building pathways to dignity and inclusion for all displaced persons.

As a Subgrantee

Distributing funds and building capacity among the 62 member organizations to strengthen their advocacy and support capabilities.

Grounded in the core values of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective problem-solving, our organization’s work is driven by a clear and intentional vision. These values form the foundation of three defining characteristics that shape our approach and impact. Together, they guide our community-centered practices, energize the partnerships necessary for building a broader movement, and provide the strategic framework for scaling our collective efforts to the national level.

Our Core Characteristics

Community-Led

Driven by those with direct experience of displacement, ensuring authentic leadership and solutions that truly address community needs.

Movement Building

Mobilizing collective refugee leadership and solidarity that creates lasting change and builds stronger communities.

National Reach

Operating in hard-to-reach and systematically excluded spaces across South Africa, reaching those furthest behind.
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