Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) launched the government-backed Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) in mid 2022. CEO Lisa Button sits down with ABC News presenter Ros Childs to discuss the first arrivals through this new community-led settlement pathway.
The group-based model harnesses the goodwill and the rich connections of local communities to enrich the experience of resettlement for newly-arrived refugee households.
“What’s different about this [CRISP program] is that the refugees arriving will have something resembling a family network or a group of extended friends who are personally very invested in their success and integration into the community, and who are well networked within their own local community as well.”
The CRISP expects to support 1,500 refugees over four years.
“It doesn’t matter where you are – you could be in a big city or a regional town – everybody is welcome to get involved.”
Originally aired 28 August, 2022. ABC News.