‘ Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Julian Hill MP has announced today that the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) will be a ‘permanent and valued feature within Australia’s overall humanitarian program’. You can read the full government media release here, and a heartwarming article by Ben Doherty in The Guardian here.
Securing the future of the CRISP provides a stable foothold to keep building a large, robust and multi-faceted community sponsorship movement in Australia. In the future we hope to see this approach not only grow additional pathways for refugees, but also enable members of our community to be able to help in the context of emergency humanitarian intakes (like the Afghan evacuation in 2021, Ukrainian arrivals in 2023 and arrivals from Gaza in 2024); ‘named’ refugee sponsorship (where sponsors can nominate who they wish to support); as well as labour and education pathways for refugee workers and students.
Join us for an online celebration of this exciting news on Thursday, 6 March. RSVP here.
This is a truly collective achievement and, borrowing the words of anthropologist Margaret Mead, a testament to the power of a ‘small group of thoughtful, committed citizens’.
The practical work started as a small ‘proof of concept’ project in 2020 (the initial launch of the ‘Group Mentor Program’ helping newcomers during the pandemic). Following the success of that work, the CRISP was designed and launched in partnership with government in mid 2022. Fast forward to February 2025 and we’ve now seen more than 1,000 people involved in 140 CRISP groups around the country supporting more than 550 newcomers arriving in all states and territories. In deciding to make the CRISP a permanent program, the government has recognised what we have seen firsthand: the profound impact of the CRISP in transforming lives and building stronger and more connected communities.
We want to acknowledge those who have contributed to achieving this outcome. Thank you to:
- The original organisations who backed the vision for community sponsorship in Australia, the formation of our organisation and advocated for the policy settings needed for new programs – Refugee Council of Australia, Save the Children Australia, Amnesty International Australia, Welcoming Australia, Rural Australians for Refugees and the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce – as well as our Ambassadors, and other civil society leaders who have understood the potential of this approach and supported through advocacy and advice
- International colleagues who have inspired and supported the Australian community sponsorship movement, particularly the team at the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative
- The philanthropic donors who gave us our start as an independent organisation, most notably the Sidney Myer Fund, as well as other donors (large and small) who have since supported the ongoing work of our organisation and local fundraising initiatives
- Those who bravely tested and demonstrated what a ‘group of 5’ could do for newcomers in the midst of a pandemic in 2020, and the many more that signed up to help Afghan evacuees in 2021
- Government ministers and officials who backed the introduction and continuation of the CRISP and trusted a small and young organisation and a very human-centred, compassion-led endeavour
- Other Parliamentarians who have got behind the CRISP by promoting the program in their local electorates
- The ever-growing number of ‘Supporting Community Organisations’ and other partner organisations who have stepped up to help, putting the word out to their members and communities and offering practical support and expertise
- Clubs, businesses and faith groups in regional towns and large cities who have involved their members and constituents
But most of all
- Individual community members who have decided to ‘walk the talk’, form local groups and then found themselves standing at an airport arrivals hall, getting ready to welcome a newcomer
- Refugee newcomers who put their trust in a group of well-meaning strangers, and share their lives, challenges, experiences, skills and aspirations
The world needs compassionate solutions for refugees now more than ever before, and this program invites everyday people to be part of the solution.
Globally, the community sponsorship movement is celebrating 1 million refugees sponsored by millions of sponsors since 2017, and we are proud that CRISP will continue to grow these efforts. Community sponsorship has widespread political support, it builds compassion and new allies for refugees, as well as building reception capacity. It is also an antidote to disengagement, despair, division and loneliness in our communities. It’s a powerful tool to not only protect what we have but also build a brighter future for those forced to flee.
If you have ever thought about getting involved in the CRISP, or are keen to sponsor another household, this is a reminder to register your interest in receiving $5,000 in seed funding by 28 February 2025.
We hope you stay with us on this exciting journey and keep inviting those around you to get involved.
Read CRSA’s media release about the announcement here.