PROSPECTS partnered with Unleashed, a refugee youth-led organization in Uganda, to empower young refugees through business development and training, demonstrating a model where refugee leaders can be equal partners in programming.

Unleashed is a refugee youth-led organization (RYLO) in Uganda formed by two brothers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a result of conflict in their home country, the brothers relocated to the Nakivale refugee settlement in the Isingiro district of Uganda. They started Unleashed in response to the sense of desperation felt by young refugees who lacked real prospects for the future in the refugee settlement.

Unleashed began developing a BDS training curriculum for young people, to support the generation of business ideas that addressed challenges faced by Nakivale residents. They first interacted with PROSPECTS during an SIYB training-of-trainers session targeting the development of refugee trainers. The two Unleashed founders ultimately became certified as master trainers. They subsequently joined the BDSPN, which gave them access to a wider range of training opportunities. They used the SIYB materials to enrich their own BDS offerings in Nakivale and upgrade the skills of refugee trainers.

The Unleashed master trainers later used their experience and knowledge to help the ILO and UNICEF integrate the former’s SIYB curriculum into a social enterprise programme run by the latter. Through their participation in the joint ILO-UNICEF programme, known as integrated UPSHIFT (i-UPSHIFT), the Unleashed leaders developed modules called U-Ideate, to generate business ideas; U-Accelerate, to formalize businesses; U-Love, for digital entrepreneurs; and U-Leadies, which was designed as a stand-alone programme for women. They were ultimately contracted by the ILO to implement i-UPSHIFT in Nakivale, which provided them with practical experience in project design, implementation and administration.

In addition, the Unleashed leaders were trained under the ILO Global Programme on Financial Education, incorporating what they learned into their service offerings. They were further trained and certified as master trainers as part of the ILO programme Promoting Social Cohesion for Peaceful Co-existence through TVET. They used the master-trainer status to train local leaders, CBOs and young people in methods to facilitate social cohesion in training processes. They did so by targeting local football clubs in the Nakivale settlement, which were already bringing young people from different backgrounds together.

Working with PROSPECTS gave Unleashed further opportunities to enhance BDS and community services within the refugee settlement. This included practical experience as an implementing partner of the ILO. Unleashed leveraged resources and complementary work from numerous sources to augment its own BDS, as a business. For example, the organization runs a computer lab funded by the UNICEF social innovation programme, which it put to use in the ILO’s digital skills training. Its lab is also used as a space for other INGO and UN programming, as refugees within the settlement lack reliable internet access. 

Unleashed is an example of how an extremely motivated community-based organization can drive responsive programming. The BDS training curriculum was developed and adapted gradually, as the organization interacted with more young, aspiring entrepreneurs and became increasingly aware of gaps in services (such as financial services). The BDS model it has created is currently reliant on donors, although Unleashed does generate a small amount of revenue by charging fees for the use of computer labs. Its main client base comprises refugee entrepreneurs, who are largely unable to contribute financially to the services and so would depend on external financing in the long term. 

Moreover, the organization operates in a relatively closed economy, meaning the extent to which the enterprises they support can be scaled up is limited. Despite these challenges, the model provides intangible benefits, serving as an example for aspiring young entrepreneurs in refugee settings. It also demonstrates a model where refugee leaders were positioned as equal partners in programming. They were not only programme recipients, but involved in the design of project activities. They identified needs, led adaptation of tools and training and were instrumental in scaling up training through training of master trainers in their community.

Find out more about the PROSPECTS programme’s wider learning on youth engagement and gender and disability inclusion.