The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Trust has agreed the establishment of a Displaced Planners Pathway to Work Fund worth an initial £20,000, aiming to assist displaced planning professionals in entering the planning profession in the UK and Ireland.
The initiative, developed by the RTPI's Chief Executive, will aim to address the increasing number of planning professionals displaced worldwide due to conflicts or natural disasters. Currently, the world is witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record, with an estimated 84 million people forced from their homes, according to the UNHCR's Refugee Population Statistics Database.
Beyond immediate assistance, the RTPI is also committed to planning for the future by supporting initiatives that enable the development of strategies to rebuild places and communities after disasters.
Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: “We’ve seen an increase in direct messages from displaced professionals within the sector due to global events like conflicts across the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
“While we’ve been striving to provide support, helping connect professionals seeking work and established companies in the UK, we felt that there was more that could be done. This fund will enable the development of a more rounded programme, that will help people access professional networks and develop the specific knowledge needed to work in the UK.
“This decision from the RTPI Trust is both timely and necessary, and will help support displaced planners in real-time.”
