With a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis at home, millions of Venezuelans are on the move. Latin America has never seen migration of this speed or scale, with the vast majority of Venezuelans seeking safety and refuge in nearby countries like Colombia and Ecuador.

Civil society organizations across the region have been at the forefront of the response, providing humanitarian assistance, advocating for the rights of migrants and refugees, and identifying long-term solutions. Since 2018, Tinker has been supporting these organizations and the critical work they do with a specific focus on exchanging knowledge and enhancing their capacity to engage in coordinated local, national, and regional advocacy.

Beginning last year, the Grupo de Trabajo de Movilidad Humana Venezolana (Working Group on Venezuelan Human Mobility) developed and publicized a Civil Society Plan of Action outlining key priorities for organizations that advocate for migrant and refugee rights. Under the leadership of Tinker grantee CEJIL, the Working Group has presented its plan to the United Nations Refugee Agency, the Organization of American States, and governments in the region. The plan provides a specific, actionable framework for ongoing advocacy work, based on the needs and rights of migrants and refugees, that will inform ongoing work in the region.