Ockenden International is a long‑established UK charity dedicated to supporting refugees and other forcibly displaced people. Founded in the early 1950s and now operating primarily as a grant‑maker, it focuses on promoting the self‑reliance, dignity and independence of refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and asylum seekers worldwide.
Role of Ockenden International in the funding ecosystem
The organisation’s flagship initiative is the annual Ockenden International Prizes. These prizes consist of five cash awards, currently set at £25,000 each, recognising innovative, evidence‑based projects that measurably improve self‑reliance among displaced populations. Four of the prizes are open globally, while a dedicated UK Prize supports projects operating in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland that advance the self‑reliance of refugees and asylum seekers living in the United Kingdom.
Since the inaugural prize in 2013, Ockenden has awarded well over £1.35 million to non‑profit organisations working in dozens of countries. Funded initiatives span legal aid and labour rights, early childhood education, livelihoods and micro‑enterprise, psychosocial support, community festivals, and other locally driven responses that reduce dependence on aid.
Funding approach and eligible organisations
The prizes are open to not‑for‑profit organisations that can demonstrate strong financial and administrative governance and provide audited accounts where available. Projects must be operational for at least six months at the time of entry and show measurable outcomes improving the lives of refugees or displaced people. Ockenden does not fund start‑ups or ideas; instead, it backs running initiatives with proven impact.
A distinctive feature is that prize money is generally unrestricted. While organisations are encouraged to use funds to continue, extend or replicate the winning project, they may also allocate awards to related work or core costs that support displaced people, according to their own priorities rather than prescriptive donor conditions.
General evaluation criteria
Judging is undertaken by an independent Advisory Panel with expertise in refugee studies, humanitarian practice, human rights and media. The panel looks for projects that have:
- Clearly evidenced improvements in the lives of refugees, IDPs or asylum seekers
- Demonstrated real change leading towards self‑reliance and reduced dependence on aid
- Strong participation or leadership by displaced people themselves
- Sound governance and accountability in the managing organisation
Special consideration is given to small and medium‑sized organisations, especially those that are locally rooted or refugee‑led, agile and cost‑effective but often face difficulties accessing external funding.
Research fellowship and knowledge building
Beyond direct project funding, Ockenden International supports the Joyce Pearce Junior Research Fellowship in partnership with the Refugee Studies Centre and Lady Margaret Hall at the University of Oxford. This fellowship backs early‑career scholars whose work deepens international understanding of refugee self‑reliance and the wider dynamics of forced migration.
History and evolution
Ockenden began in 1951 as the Ockenden Venture, one of the first UK charities created in the aftermath of the Second World War to assist young refugees from Europe. It later played a major role in the reception and resettlement of Vietnamese “Boat People” in the UK and progressively expanded into overseas programmes in Asia and Africa. In 1999 it became Ockenden International, increasingly channelling resources into long‑term overseas work.
Today, its focus is squarely on identifying and rewarding effective, locally grounded solutions that enable displaced people to rebuild stable, independent lives. Through its prizes and fellowship, Ockenden International combines practical financial support with thought leadership in the field of refugee self‑reliance.
