RAPID RESPONSE MECHANISM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN EMERGENCIES

It’s main goal is to provide a platform to strengthen academic capacity to respond to crises; promote collaborative responses; generate untapped resources; improve understanding and accountability, as well as inspire political commitment so that higher education is seen by governments and donors as a top priority during crises.

As a platform of dialogue and cooperation, it works to promote a common vision of the role that higher education can play in this type of emergencies, helping refugees and students in forced mobility to achieve their dreams and goals through education, support and protection. All of the actions and programs conducted by this project aim to do more, better and faster in the field of higher education in emergencies and in conflict-affected societies.

RRM+ also works to increase resilience and self-reliance, along with many other characteristics that will contribute to building leaders with the know-how and skilled labor that countries in crisis and conflict need to move forward.

Therefore, with the support of various partners, the RRM+ organization is striving for a better future, where the rights and opportunities of all those seeking a promising future through higher education are supported.

To promote a more equal and inclusive world, where young people at risk or in emergency situations have the possibility of completing their studies in higher education areas, giving them the chance to get a better level of quality of life.

Support and provide future opportunities for young people living in countries at war.

RRM+ - A Three Pillar Structure

The RRM+ seeks to be the main multilateral platform linking the academic community, philanthropies, the private sector, humanitarian and development players and political decision makers at national, regional and global level.

This project resides in the principle that universities can be a safe space to integrate students and scholars coming from fragile settings and backgrounds. To enable universities to achieve their mission, it is necessary to close any possible capacity and financial gaps. Therefore, the RRM+ is based on three pillars: an Academic Consortium, a Network of Partners and a Financing Facility.

• Academic Consortium: Includes universities, polytechnics, colleges, research institutes and other higher education providers committed to promote beneficial opportunities for refugees and students on forced mobility to pursue their education;
• Network of Partners: It is made of a wide range of members – international organizations, governments, aid agencies, foundations, NGOs, the private sector and individuals – engaged in supporting the higher education sector in conflict settings;
• Financing Facility: In support of the RRM is a blended finance initiative comprising grants.

What moves the work of RRM

Shaped by the three main aims of doing more, better and faster, RRM works through close consultations and activities organized at different levels in order to deliver on its main functions.

Besides the main goals that guide the platform's actions, there are also four core principles underpinned, being them: protection, access, equity and empowerment.

• Protection: RRM+ undertakes as a priority to make sure that the academic opportunities provided offer a safe, protective and healing environment to crisis-affected students;
• Access: The platform focuses on ensuring that crisis-affected students are provided with quality higher education opportunities to complete their studies;
• Equity:  RRM+ wants to provide access to the most vulnerable students, notably young women;
• Empowerment: By empowering individuals and communities RRM+ makes sure that higher education provides the advanced capabilities necessary for societies to assume genuine ownership of the recovery process.

Furthermore, the RRM+ endorses 5 functions based on the ability to:

• Provide a platform to strengthen academic capacity to respond to crises;
• Faster collaborative responses;
• Generate untapped resources;
• Improve understanding;
• Inspire and take political commitment and accountability so that higher education is viewed, both by governments and donors, as a top priority during crises.