From 2021 to 2025, Re:BUiLD established a bold influencing agenda aimed at shaping policies, practices, and investments at national, regional, and global levels. The pillar sought to ensure that evidence and learning generated through the program translated into systemic change beyond direct service delivery.
Re:BUiLD’s influence strategy was designed to extend its scope of change across Kampala and Nairobi, and beyond to other cities hosting refugees. The specific outcomes for our Influence and Adoption pillar focused
on:
- Enabling policy change through national, regional and global policy makers.
- Sector change within the humanitarian and development community, who in turn must engage local private sector stakeholders.
- Using our evidence and learnings, we promote the value and effectiveness of urban refugee livelihoods programming.
International Engagements
Global Refugee Forum Progress Review: Advancing City Leadership for Refugee Inclusion held in December 2025
In December 2025, Re:BUiLD participated in the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) Progress Review Meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland, alongside representatives from Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). The meeting brought together governments, international organizations, civil society actors, and refugee-led organizations to assess progress made on commitments from the 2023 Global Refugee Forum and to explore ways to accelerate refugee inclusion in national and local systems.
During the forum, discussions focused on strengthening the humanitarian–development–peace nexus and identifying innovative approaches to support refugees and host communities. Key policy roundtables examined topics such as scaling climate finance for displacement contexts and mobilizing innovative investments to improve livelihoods, services, and economic opportunities for displaced populations.
A major highlight of the meeting was the Joint City Pledge by Nairobi and Kampala, demonstrating how cities are integrating refugee inclusion into urban governance and service delivery. Supported by the International Rescue Committee through the Re:BUiLD program, the pledge commits the cities to institutionalize refugee access to city services and infrastructure, enhance refugee participation in urban decision-making processes, and establish innovation centers to support entrepreneurship, technical skills, and digital livelihoods for refugees and host communities by 2027.
The forum also showcased progress achieved through Re:BUiLD in advancing inclusive urban systems. In both Nairobi and Kampala, the program has supported efforts to strengthen coordination with city authorities, integrate refugee needs into municipal planning, expand access to livelihoods and markets, and promote participation of refugees in policy consultations and local governance structures. The full report can be accessed here.
This engagement reaffirmed the important role cities play in advancing refugee inclusion and highlighted how partnerships between local governments, development partners, and refugee communities can translate global commitments into tangible local impact.
Advancing Freedom of Movement for Forcibly Displaced Persons at the 85th ACHPR Session held in October 2025
In October 2025, Re:BUiLD participated in the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) held in Banjul, The Gambia. This engagement marked an important milestone in our continued advocacy for the rights of forcibly displaced persons across the East and Horn of Africa and reinforced our commitment to engaging with continental human rights mechanisms.
During the session, Re:BUiLD contributed to the side event titled “Borderless Justice: Advancing Freedom of Movement for Forcibly Displaced Persons in the East and Horn of Africa.” The event brought together state representatives, human rights defenders, civil society actors, refugee-led organizations, and regional institutions to examine persistent barriers to freedom of movement and access to documentation for refugees and internally displaced persons.
Re:BUiLD and partners used this platform to present evidence, amplify refugee voices, and engage directly with ACHPR Commissioners and Special Rapporteurs. Key recommendations emerging from the engagement included the issuance of machine-readable Convention Travel Documents, the removal of restrictive internal movement passes and work permit requirements, stronger accountability from member states, and the inclusion of refugees in policy-making processes. Commitments were also reaffirmed by the ACHPR to continue monitoring state compliance with regional human rights instruments.
East African Civil Society Summit held in September 2025
The East African Civil Society Organizations Forum (EACSOF) is a regional NGO based in Tanzania that represents civil society organizations across East Africa — including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda. EACSOF works to enhance civil society engagement in the East African Community (EAC) integration process through information sharing, networking, and capacity building.
Re:BUiLD participated in the East African Civil Society Summit 2025, themed “Harnessing EAC Citizens’ Potential through Innovation for Regional Integration in the Digital Age,” brought together civil society organizations, government representatives, the private sector, academia, and the media to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation for deeper regional integration.
The Women RLO Leaders' Convening held in July 2025
At the The Women RLO Leaders' Convening 2025 ,convened by World University Service of Canada (WUSC), Authentic African Works, and the Mastercard Foundation brought together Refugee Women-Led Organizations from across Africa to to discuss and advance refugee self-reliance. Re:BUiLD participated in the meaningful event brought together refugee women-led organizations from across Africa to enhance leadership, foster collaboration, and design support systems tailored for sustainable impact. It focused on strengthening collaboration and understanding between RLOs and key partners regarding ongoing coordination efforts, joint work opportunities, and challenges.
Participation in the ID4Africa 2025 Conference on the integration of refugee data into national identification systems, held in May 2025
At the ID4Africa 2025 Conference on the integration of refugee data into national identification systems and the need for interoperable service access platforms, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from May 20 to 23, Re:BUiLD participated in a high-level panel discussion on inclusive identity systems. The panel highlighted that without inclusive and interoperable identity frameworks, refugee access to services remains fragmented and exclusionary. In response, the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) acknowledged this gap and announced plans to develop a comprehensive, compatible refugee database.
Participation in the 4th IGAD Scientific Conference on Migration and Displacement held in May 2025
At the 4th IGAD Scientific Conference on Migration and Displacement held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from May 19 to 21, Re:BUiLD shared insights on effective strategies for supporting urban refugee livelihoods. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to discuss inclusive, evidence-based solutions.
Key discussions highlighted the need to empower city authorities, reduce bureaucratic barriers, and prioritize localized, data-driven approaches. We reaffirm our commitment to co-creating impactful solutions that foster economic inclusion, resilience, and dignity for both displaced populations and host communities.
African Displacement Forum held in April 2025
The 3rd Africa Forum on Displacement, held in Nairobi, Kenya from April 28 to 29, explored what it takes to turn displacement into an engine for economic inclusion, innovation and social cohesion. AFD brought together governments, private sector, philanthropic organizations, policymakers, and refugee-led initiatives to co-create sustainable, inclusive solutions for RDPs across the continent. The 2025 theme, "All In," , highlighted the economic opportunities that emerge when refugees are meaningfully included in shaping solutions.
Re:BUiLD participated in the forum, contributing to discussions on market-driven approaches, including financial inclusion, investment in refugee-led businesses, and leveraging private sector partnerships to support the economic integration of displaced communities.
World Urban Forum held in November 2024
The Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12), held in Cairo, Egypt, from November 4 to 8, provided a critical platform for discussing sustainable urbanization and the challenges urban communities face worldwide. WUF12 offered significant insights and potential pathways to East African cities on improving living conditions and integrating urban displacement communities into urban governance by providing key lessons from across the globe on displacement inclusion. '
The IRC's Re:BUiLD program also hosted a side event during the WUF12 that brought together policymakers, practitioners, refugees, researchers, and donors to discuss the unique challenges urban-based refugees face and explore how various actors can better support them.
Africa Urban Forum held in September 2024
The Africa Urban Forum (AUF) 2024 , held in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia, from September 4 to 6, explored the critical role of urbanization in achieving the objectives of Agenda 2063 and shaping the future of Africa’s cities structured around two sub-themes: financing urbanization for socioeconomic transformation; and sustainable and resilient urban development in Africa. Experts from various fields, including governments, academia, urban planners, economists, architects, developers, community leaders, residents, civil society, the private sector, development agencies, and practitioners shared best practices related to urban development and planning commitment to action.
Global Refugee Forum held in December 2023
The Global Refugee Forum 2023, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from December 13 to 15, aimed at realizing the goals of the Global Compact on Refugees. Key outcomes included 1,600 pledges, totaling $2.2 billion in new financial commitments including approximately USD250million from the private sector. The focus of these pledges was on easing host country pressures, enhancing refugee self-reliance, and improving conditions in countries of origin. This marked a significant step forward with substantial commitments and actions aimed at addressing the challenges faced by refugees globally. The lessons learned and actions proposed provide a roadmap for Re: BUiLD to contribute to positive change in the refugee space. It also provided the basis of collaborations, support, and networking.
The Nairobi City County (Kenya) and Kampala Capital City Authority (Uganda) joint pledge, supported by the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) Re:BUiLD program, focuses on institutionalizing refugee inclusion in urban governance, services, and planning between 2024 and 2027. This initiative was presented at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum (GRF) to foster self-reliance for both refugees and host communities in the two cities