One of key activities of this project was the production of guidelines for coordinators of relocation initiatives and wellbeing service providers on how to support the wellbeing of defenders at risk on relocation initiatives.

The Barcelona Guidelines are based on the research findings from this project and discussions between coordinators, wellbeing service providers, and researchers from around the world at an international retreat in Barcelona in June 2019 (hence the name, The Barcelona Guidelines).

The Guidelines highlight that the wellbeing of defenders needs specific attention, from the very way relocation initiatives are designed, to the activities planned, expectations of defenders, and the resources and funding allocated to the programmes. The Guidelines highlight that defenders may arrive at their relocation initiatives exhausted and struggling with the mental health issues such as burnout, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Guidelines also highlight that coordinators of relocation also suffer in terms of their own wellbeing, and that relocation initiatives offer an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our own wellbeing and to model good wellbeing practices with each other. The Guidelines provide specific guidance on how to handle issues related to wellbeing on relocation initiatives, and we hope that they will be useful to defenders, relocation coordinators, wellbeing service providers, funders, and other protection actors. The Guidelines are available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian. (click on languages for links).