The Asylum Seekers and Refugees Solidarity Association (ARSA) is proud to announce its selection to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Global Advisory Board of Organizations Led by Forcibly Displaced and Stateless Persons for the 2026–2028 term.

This significant achievement represents international recognition of ARSA’s longstanding commitment to refugee leadership, community empowerment, humanitarian action, and advocacy for the rights and inclusion of forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

Founded in 2009, ARSA is a refugee-led and women-led non-governmental organization based in Kayseri, Türkiye. For more than 17 years, ARSA has worked to support refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, and vulnerable host community members through protection, legal aid, education, women’s empowerment, youth engagement, social cohesion, and community development initiatives. Through its projects and activities, ARSA has reached more than 190,000 beneficiaries and has built strong partnerships with local, national, and international stakeholders.

The UNHCR Global Advisory Board serves as an important platform that brings together organizations led by forcibly displaced and stateless persons from around the world to provide strategic advice, share community perspectives, and contribute to the development of UNHCR policies, programs, and priorities. The Board aims to strengthen meaningful participation and ensure that people with lived experience of displacement are actively involved in decisions that affect their lives and communities.

As a member of the Global Advisory Board, ARSA is committed to:

  • Amplifying the voices of refugee-led organizations and displaced communities;
  • Promoting meaningful participation and localization within humanitarian and development responses;
  • Sharing community-driven solutions and lived experiences to inform global policies and practices;
  • Advocating for the rights, dignity, and inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons worldwide.

ARSA extends its sincere gratitude to its dedicated volunteers, staff members, Board of Directors, supporters, partners, and the refugee communities whose trust and collaboration have made this achievement possible.

We are honored to contribute to this important global platform and look forward to working closely with fellow Advisory Board members and UNHCR to advance inclusive, accountable, and community-centered solutions for forcibly displaced and stateless persons around the world.

Asylum Seekers and Refugees Solidarity Association (ARSA)

June 2026