London Refugee Economic Action (LORECA)

Aims

London Refugee Economic Action (LORECA) is pan-London initiative aimed at supporting London's refugees to become economically active, and fully utilize the skills they have to offer.

 LORECA aims to reduce the high levels of economic exclusion faced by London's refugees, by influencing decision-makers to develop policies and practices that enable refugee Londoners to realise their potential.

It also aims to ensure resources across London aimed at supporting refugees are better co-ordinated.

Strategic and Policy role

LORECA works at a strategic and policy level, sitting as a discrete unit within the Equality and Diversity team of the London Development Agency (LDA).

LORECA's key areas of focus are: employment, training, and enterprise (ETE), but it works to ensure that the wider needs of refugee Londoners are taken into account across the work of the LDA, including the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and their legacy.

A key objective for 2007 is supporting the development of London Enriched, the Mayor's Draft Strategy for Refugee Integration in London, including the consultation which runs from mid-July to 29 October 2007.

How LORECA works

LORECA has a consultative role, serving as the 'link' body between the Mayor's Board for Refugee Integration and stakeholders seeking to support London’s refugee communities on ETE matters.

Stakeholders include employers, statutory agencies, and vitally, London's vibrant refugee sector, including Refugee Community Organisations.

LORECA operates several groups which help shape its strategic and policy responses to issues affecting refugee employability.

This includes a Refugee Advisory Panel, comprised of experts on ETE issues, a Reference Group, which takes on board the views of individual refugees and asylum seekers, and a 'Meta-network', open to all organisations and businesses across London who wish to support refugees into employment, training, or enterprise.

Meta-network members are invited to participate in consultations, receive regular e-bulletins with policy updates, and invitations to events.

Products

LORECA produces various products to support its stakeholders, including policy briefings, research reports, a directory of service providers in London, and a digital library of resources on refugee employment-related issues.

To find out more about LORECA's work and how to become involved, please visit the LORECA website or contact LORECA at info@loreca.org.uk.