Building Futures: How the EU Trust Fund Supports Refugees in Uganda

Uganda has long been a safe haven for refugees and asylum-seekers, primarily from neighbouring countries such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Currently, Uganda continues to host more than 1.6 million refugees, underpinned by a generous “open door” refugee policy which grants refugees freedom of movement, the right to work, own property, and access to national services. This policy framework is widely recognised as highly progressive and inclusive. Since 2016, the EUTF finances projects aimed at mitigating conflict risks between host communities and refugees in Northen Uganda’s refugee-hosting districts. These initiatives focus on enhancing skills, improving livelihoods, and bolstering environmental protection to foster sustainable development in the region. Below are four projects highlighted through videos published on social media for World Refugee Day. According to UNHCR, Uganda hosts the highest number of refugees and asylum-seekers in Africa, with almost 1.7 million people mainly from South Sudan and the DRC, yet it was among UNHCR’s 13 top underfunded operations globally in 2023. 

Showcasing Impact: EU Projects Empowering Refugees and Host Communities in Uganda

Under the project “Support Programme to the Refugee Settlements and Host Communities in Northern Uganda (SPRS-NU)” implemented by ENABEL, South Sudanese refugees and host communities are empowered to develop skills tailored to specific needs. The project supports initiatives that enable refugees to develop their sustainable livelihood through training, scholarships, entrepreneurial skills and start-up kits, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports.  

“I took this opportunity since making bags was a new skill which is uncommon in my village. When I took this opportunity, it allowed me to make money and get more trainees” shared Apizuyo Fosca, a young woman beneficiary of the project.

Watch the video here : https://youtu.be/Tx4GbroECNk

The EU also supports the promotion of alternative sustainable energy with the project “Response to Increased Environmental Degradation and Promotion of Alternative Energy Sources in Refugee Hosting Districts”, implemented by a consortium of partners led by Save the Children. The objective is to increase environmental protection, forest restoration and improve sustainable energy and alternative livelihoods. In particular, the use of the Lorena Stove (an energy saving stove, typically made out of sand and clay) allowed savings of between 30% to 50% of Kg of firewood. 

Kuyunge Zaibar,benefiting from this initiative remarked:

“I used to fetch firewood 4 times a day but with the new cooking stove, I fetch firewood only once. I have chest problems, but the new stove does not produce a lot of smoke […] and has helped me to reduce on buying charcoal”. 

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/PyNYfmsFxro

Similarly, the EUTF project “Restoring and Conserving degraded fragile ecosystems for improved Community Livelihoods among the Refugee and Host Communities of West Nile Region and the mid- Albertine Rift”, implemented by a consortium led by the Uganda Biodiversity Fund, targets refugees and host communities in the refugee hosting districts of Terego, Yumbe, Kamwenge, Kikuube, and Kyegegwa. This initiative focuses on restoring natural resources and promoting sustainable energy by promoting a lot of interventions in agroforestry and sustainable land management. The trainings provided to farmers in West Nile region, already allowed them to sell honey from about 900 beehives provided by the project.

“This honey has changed our community, when we produce honey we sell it and generate income. We also eat the honey”, said Achile Henry, a young farmer. 

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/TUXVpTkL1pQ 

In Northern Uganda, in Arua, Madi Okollo, Obongi and Moyo districts, the ongoing project “Strengthening, Protection and Economic Empowerment (SUPREME) in Uganda – Livelihood Component”, implemented by a consortium led by Word Vision, is improving sustainable agriculture and value chain development to diversify production systems, generate increases in productivity and foster job creation, in particular for women and youth: the objective is to establish business that can affect the livelihood of districts people. 

Click this link to see the video: https://youtu.be/U2hsZGOlfuE

“I started this business in 2016, I have been able to employ some youth and my workshop that I pay on commission basis. Before this program, life was hard because I had school fees, medical and nutrition problems, but since the program started, I have been able to pay my children’s fees and medical bills”, said Maga William, a carpenter dedicated to training youth.