Re:BUiLD generates rigorous evidence through pilots, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), monitoring data, and mixed-methods research to identify what works, and what doesn't, improving urban refugee livelihoods.
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Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
The RCTs were a core component of Re:BUiLD’s Evidence & Learning Strategy. Through the RCTs, Re:BUiLD rigorously tested which livelihoods interventions, delivery models, and social cohesion approaches produced the strongest and most cost-effective outcomes for urban refugees and host community members. The trials aimed to answer three central questions:
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Which interventions work better for refugees and host community members?
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How do different delivery models affect economic outcomes? What role do social and business networks play in advancing livelihoods?
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How do livelihoods programs influence social cohesion between groups?
Findings from the trials directly shaped the program design and fed into Re:BUiLD’s broader policy influence agenda.
Re:BUiLD implemented multiple RCTs across Kampala and Nairobi, making it one of the most significant urban refugee livelihoods research efforts in East Africa.
Wave 1 RCTs: Cash Grants and Mentorship (Completed)
The studies were registered with the American Economic Association's (AEA) registry for RCTs (Kenya and Uganda), and the initial findings were launched at the Re:BUiLD Research & Policy Symposium, 2024. A qualitative study unpacking the effects of mentorship was carried out following the Wave 1 RCTs, exploring how mentorship mechanisms operate across client groups.
Both RCTs in Kampala and Nairobi, serving 4,000 participants (2,000 in each city), looked at one common dimension of livelihood programs supporting microentrepreneurs: mentorship services, where the mentors were microentrepreneurs themselves. Administered from the IRC’s Livelihood Centers in each capital, the studies informed IRC’s programming around the world as well as many other policy organizations looking to improve microentrepreneurs' livelihoods in urban settings.
Key Lessons from Wave 1
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Cash Grants Reliably Boost Business, but Mentorship Impact Varies by Context
The results indicate that combining cash grants with targeted mentorship may improve business outcomes compared to cash alone, although effects vary by context and baseline client capacity.
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Segmented Approaches are Essential
Evidence suggests that refugees and host community members respond differently to interventions, reinforcing the need for tailored programming.
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Social Cohesion Interventions Are Viable
Structured contact between refugees and hosts shows potential to reduce discrimination and improve trust and economic collaboration.
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Mixed-methods Strengthen Understanding
Qualitative studies clarified mechanisms behind observed impacts, especially in mentorship.
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Evidence is Driving Policy Conversations
Re:BUiLD’s RCT findings have informed discussions at regional bodies, government forums, and multi-stakeholder convenings, including the Research & Policy Symposium. The Re:BUiLD Year 5 Annual Report summarises the Wave 1 findings as showing that cash grants and mentorship can support stronger business outcomes for refugee and host-community entrepreneurs.
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Challenges & Mitigation
Common challenges include managing large-scale recruitment, ensuring operational consistency and maintaining ethical integrity when serving vulnerable populations
Publications
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Cash and Small Business Groups for Ugandans and Refugees
This study examines the effects of cash grants, mentorship and small business groups on business outcomes for refugees and host-community entrepreneurs in Uganda. The findings show that cash grants substantially improved business outcomes, while the additional effects of mentorship varied across participant groups.
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This policy brief examines the impact of cash grants alone and cash grants combined with mentorship on the economic and mental wellbeing of refugee and Kenyan business owners in Nairobi. The findings show improvements in business ownership, profits, productive assets and monthly income, with particularly strong effects among new business owners. However, refugee women experienced limited improvements in business outcomes, highlighting the need for more tailored support.
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This policy brief examines the impact of cash grants alone and cash grants combined with mentorship on microentrepreneurs from refugee and host communities in Kampala, Uganda. The findings show that cash grants significantly improved business profits, household wellbeing and social cohesion over 12 months. However, the additional effects of mentorship varied across participants, with gender differences highlighting the need for carefully designed, tailored support.
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Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Cash Grants Compared with Cash Grants and Mentorship in Uganda
This analysis examines the cost-effectiveness of cash grants alone compared with cash grants combined with mentorship for microentrepreneurs in Kampala, Uganda. The findings indicate that cash grants alone were more cost-effective in improving business outcomes and social cohesion, while the additional costs of mentorship did not consistently translate into greater benefits across participant groups.
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Livelihoods Cost Effectiveness Brief 2023: Re:BUiLD Kenya Wave 1 RCT
This brief examines the costs and cost-effectiveness of cash grants alone compared with cash grants combined with mentorship for microentrepreneurs in Nairobi, Kenya. It compares the cost of delivering each intervention and considers the resources required to achieve improved economic outcomes for program participants.
Livelihoods Cost Effectiveness Brief 2023: Re:BUiLD Uganda Wave 1 RCT
This brief examines the costs and cost-effectiveness of cash grants alone compared with cash grants combined with mentorship for microentrepreneurs in Kampala, Uganda. It compares the cost of delivering each intervention and considers the resources required to achieve improved economic outcomes for program participants.
Dissemination
The results have so far been presented at the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics 2024, Joint Data Center Research Conference on Forced Displacement 2024 and IPA/DLI webinar.
The RCTs were conducted in partnership with Center for Global Development, (CGD), Innovation for Poverty Action’s Displaced Livelihoods Initiative (DLI), Rochester University (RU), Princeton University (PU), Georgetown University and the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC).
Wave 2 RCTs
The study is registered with the American Economic Association's (AEA) registry for Randomized Controlled Trials.
What Wave 2 Was Testing
The evidence from Wave 1 showed that capital constraints alone are not the only barrier, lack of social networks is one of the most significant obstacles to starting and sustaining microenterprises. Wave 2 has therefore been designed to understand which types of networks, and which ways of building them, generate meaningful economic and social gains.
Wave 2 was testing whether strengthening social and business networks can improve the livelihoods of refugee and host community entrepreneurs in Kampala and Nairobi. The study compares different ways of helping entrepreneurs connect with one another, such as small peer groups and larger business meetups, to see which approaches lead to stronger networks, better access to information, and improved business outcomes. The goal was to understand how building both close-knit and broader professional connections can support business creation, profitability, social cohesion, and overall self-reliance.
Outcomes Measured
For whom were these interventions most impactful? Wave 2 was measuring a combination of economic, social, and wellbeing outcomes to understand how different networking approaches affect refugee and host entrepreneurs. The study tracked whether participants were more likely to start or sustain businesses, improve profits, strengthen market linkages, and make productive use of business grants, early data showed that over half of Wave 2 businesses were launched after receiving grants. It also assessed social cohesion, including trust, collaboration, and the formation of both strong and weak business ties between refugees and hosts. Finally, the trial measures psychological wellbeing and selfreliance, examining whether stronger networks contribute to reduced stress, increased confidence, and greater economic independence.
Why Wave 2 Matters
Urban markets in Kampala and Nairobi rely heavily on interpersonal networks, trust, referrals, and informal systems. Refugees often enter these markets at a disadvantage due to exclusion from such networks. Wave 2 aimed to determine which types of networking interventions can structurally reduce this disadvantage and enable equitable economic integration.
The RCT was conducted in partnership with Stanford University Immigration Policy Lab, Georgetown University, Makerere University and IPA serving 8,000 participants (4,000 per city).
2026: Wave 2 Results
The study progressed through baseline, midline and endline stages. By Year 5, the midline survey had reached 7,430 respondents, while business verification confirmed 6,011 client businesses across Nairobi and Kampala.
The Endline Report and Policy Brief were subsequently completed. By August 2026, both products had been finalized, with the research team moving into dissemination and further academic publication opportunities.
Publications
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Re:BUiLD Wave 2 RCT Evaluation Report
This report presents findings from the Re:BUiLD Wave 2 Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), an evaluation of an innovative livelihoods intervention designed to strengthen the economic and social integration of refugees and host communities in Kampala, Uganda, and Nairobi, Kenya. Implemented in partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the Immigration Policy Lab at Stanford University, and Georgetown University’s Initiative on Innovation, Development, and Evaluation, the study followed 8,005 participants to assess the impact of unconditional business grants and business networking interventions on livelihoods, wellbeing, and social cohesion. The findings demonstrate that business grants generated significant and sustained improvements in enterprise ownership, business revenues, incomes, savings, self-reliance, and life satisfaction. While networking interventions enhanced business learning, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, they produced limited additional economic gains beyond those achieved through cash support alone. The report offers important evidence on what works to support urban refugee and host entrepreneurs and provides practical insights for designing cost-effective, evidence-based livelihoods programs in displacement-affected settings.
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Building Business Networks for Refugee Integration in Nairobi: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
This learning brief examines the cost-effectiveness of business networking approaches in Nairobi, Kenya, and their contribution to refugee economic and social integration. It provides evidence to inform decisions on the value of business networks in strengthening economic inclusion.
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Building Business Networks for Refugee Integration in Kampala: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
This learning brief examines the cost-effectiveness of business networking approaches in Kampala, Uganda, and their contribution to refugee economic and social integration. It provides evidence to inform decisions on the value of business networks in strengthening economic inclusion.
Cost-Effectiveness and Cost-Efficiency Analysis
Re:BUiLD conducted cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency analyses alongside its livelihood interventions and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Kenya and Uganda. The analyses examined interventions including cash grants, mentorship and business networks, providing evidence to inform program design and resource allocation. View the related publications and findings here.
Upcoming and Planned Research Activities (2026–2027)
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Publication of academic papers from the Wave 1 and Wave 2 RCTs (links to be updated as they go live).
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Dissemination of findings through conferences, webinars and symposia.