Welcomed through work is an initiative of AVSI Brasil and AVSI Foundation with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). A recent external evaluation of the project shows how targeted, multisectoral actions centered around formal employment can create pathways to integration for Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Brazil. Anchored in Brazil’s Operation Welcome, the project links voluntary, rights-based relocation with formal employment, allowing migrants to provide for their families, become positive contributors to host communities, and become happier and more resilient.
Evaluation Approach
An independent evaluation of the second phase of the Welcomed through work project (2021–2023) applied a mixed-methods approach, drawing on surveys and interviews with more than 540 families. The study examined changes across three key timeframes: 1) before relocation, in shelters in Roraima; 2) three months after relocation; and 3) two years post-relocation. It also compared outcomes between relocation modalities: employment-driven relocation directly to housing in host communities, and shelter-to-shelter relocation to the Casa Bom Samaritano (CBS) in Brasília.
Key Findings
Income & Employment
- Household income increased by 63% within 3 months of relocation
- After two years, many families surpassed basic needs thresholds
- In Brasília, employment among CBS participants rose from 5% to 44%, with average incomes 41% higher than non-relocated peers
Household Resilience
- Secondary household members entered the labor market, raising the share of families with multiple earners from 29.8% in shelters to 48.4% after relocation, diversifying income and strengthening stability.
Access to Rights & Services
- Families reported improved housing and access to public services
- Daycare and preschool enrollment rose from 3% in shelters to 53% in relocation sites
- On a 0–10 well-being scale measuring overall life satisfaction in Brazil (very unhappy, unhappy, happy, very happy), “very happy” responses grew from 6% in shelters to 36% among relocated families.
Social Integration
- Casa Bom Samaritano participants reported stronger community ties
- Relocation-through-employment participants reported higher income and improved future job prospects.
These findings suggest Welcomed Through Work is an effective and replicable pathway that can strengthen both the economic and social dimensions of integration. The findings also underline the importance of tailoring relocation modalities to maximize opportunity and inclusion.
AVSI’s Methodology: From Emergency to Autonomy
AVSI’s approach is rooted in recognizing the value and dignity of each person, even in crisis. We combine immediate humanitarian response with a forward-looking vision of human promotion and self-reliance. This includes pre-relocation support such as vocational and Portuguese language training and job preparation; relocation and housing assistance, including legal and social support, financial aid, and access to public services; and ongoing accompaniment by social workers to ensure access to education, healthcare, and protection services.
Scale & Partnerships
Partnership is central to this model. The initiative is implemented in collaboration with the Brazilian Armed Forces, The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, The International Organization for Migration, a local human rights non-profit called IMDH, The Brazilian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and more than 50 private-sector companies across multiple states. Since 2019, Welcomed Through Work has reached over 10,000 individuals (equivalent to approximately 2,350 households) and facilitated 1,900 formal job placements, underscoring its potential for replication and scale.
Conclusion
While challenges remain—such as regional differences in education access and variations between relocation modalities— the initiative highlights how multisectoral coordination, grounded in dignity and rights, can accompany displaced families on the path from emergency response to greater stability and inclusion.
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