Migration and Asylum Project

Building an Inclusive and Responsive Legal Landscape for Displaced Communities

Migration & Asylum Project (MAP) is India’s first dedicated law centre for forced migration and displacement. Started in 2013, it seeks to end the marginalisation of one of the most vulnerable communities in the world - migrants and refugees – by making Rule of Law central to addressing human rights challenges and ensuring grassroots justice.

In March, 2021, MAP won the Ockenden International Prize, 2021, awarded to organisations working towards promoting self-reliance amongst displaced populations.

Approach

MAP’s programmes seek to overhaul the systemic approach towards protecting displaced populations, by creating a social capital of empowered community members, pioneering innovative legal interventions, constructively engaging with governing institutions, and advocating for a cohesive movement towards safe migration in the region. The broad thematic focus of MAP’s work is:

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Programmes 2024-25

UNHCR Legal Representation

MAP pioneered the concept of legal representation for asylum seekers in the South Asia region. Currently, we are amongst the few civil society organisations globally to have a Letter of Understanding with the UNHCR to represent asylum claims before the agency.
Gender-based Violence

In the aftermath of Covid-19, to address the alarming increase in gender-based violence, MAP designed a programme that reimagines and transforms community-based support structures through awareness, provision of legal aid, capacity building and technological interventions.
Legal Empowerment

Following the migrant workers crisis of 2020, MAP launched a specialised programme for the community across Delhi. Our team of lawyers are currently working towards creating awareness about existing legal protection frameworks and assisting them in accessing pathways for redressal.
Economic Empowerment

MAP is currently partnering with Silaiwali, a social enterprise that seeks to economically empower migrant and forcibly displaced women through vocational trainings that focus on handicrafts. The idea is to preserve traditional art forms while building self-reliant communities.

Celebrating 10 years of MAP

'Memories of my Homeland' was a 4-day cultural event and exhibition organised by Migration & Asylum Project (MAP) in partnership with Alliance Francaise de Delhi to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

The inaugural evening saw performances by displaced persons, including an Afghan folk music band, a Congolese jazz performance and an Indo-refugee fusion dance. The exhibition featured paintings and photographs by refugee artists; which explored themes of identity and belonging connected with displacement. It sought to showcase the beauty and rich cultural heritage refugees have brought with them. Beyond an exhibition, it was also a call to the audience to share in the process of reminiscing about a homeland, which remains dear yet ever-distant.

Digital Innovation & Grassroots Justice

On March 8, 2022, MAP launched a one-of-a-kind mobile app, Talika, which serves as a dynamic digital tool for women and girls from migrant and displaced communities with low literacy levels, limited digital capacity, heightened security concerns and language barriers.

The app facilitates localised linkages to their nearest community support structures including healthcare centres, ASHA/Anganwadi workers, legal aid desks who form a part of our Talika Network, Mahila Panchayats, One Stop Centres, NGOs, and government helplines, and provides simplified information about applicable laws and policies in local languages.

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Community Champions

MAP’s Community champions are critical resources committed to mitigating and preventing Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in their areas. They undertake community mapping exercises, engage constructively with local authorities to represent the interest of the community, link the community to informal mediation/conciliation systems and support services, and mobilise the community for advocacy efforts.

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