Creating community learning for empowerment groups: an innovative model for participatory research partnerships with refugee communities

Empowering communities to respond humanitarian crises is one of the core principles United Nations High Commission for Refugees. In response large numbers refugees resettling in Canada from Syria as they fled its civil war, a community-based research partnership was initiated examine psychosocial needs and adaptation processes Syrian individuals families. this article, we introduce Community Learning Empowerment Groups (CLEGs) methodological innovation participatory partnerships demonstrate how can be used harvest local knowledge create critical spaces transformative learning. We describe process co-creating CLEGs with seven recently resettled community leaders, examples their implementation, lessons learned our (CBPR). Grounded paradigm, CBPR project occurred over three phases implementation. Activities undertaken by team phase aimed at empowering leaders through “train-the trainer” collaborative learning approach lead two. Focus groups were held two explore experiences leading CLEGs. Discussions focus revealed that empowered adapt according group dynamics personal leadership style. Deepened insights new facilitation approaches evidence leaders’ growth, exemplified groups. Leaders able support generate and, some cases, implement solutions groups’ challenges. are promising model supporting power sharing co-construction partnerships.