From Evidence To Policy:
A Research and Policy Symposium
The Re:BUiLD Research & Policy Symposium brought together a diverse group of policymakers, implementers, and researchers to explore practical solutions for enhancing the livelihoods of refugees and host communities in Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. Through engaging discussions, participants reflected on the need for evidence-based approaches to address critical issues such as access to finance, social protection, skills development, justice, and legal identity.
About the Symposium
Throughout the two-day event, we were privileged to hear from a diverse group of researchers, policymakers, and field experts who shared valuable insights into the critical areas of access to finance, social protection, jobs and skills development, justice, and legal identity. The collaborative dialogue and exchange of research findings have set a strong foundation for shaping policies that positively impact refugee communities.
We are appreciative of the +1,000 in-person and virtual attendees who participated in the event and contributed to the important conversations.
If you missed any part of the discussion or would like to revisit the insightful sessions, you can watch the full recordings uploaded on YouTube below:
Symposium Program
Research & Policy Symposium: Day 1
Theme 1: Access to finance and microenterprise
Session: Situating the dialogue
1. The policy scene: underpinning on GRF pledges | Jacob Bonyo – RefugePoint (Link to paper)
Session: Situating the evidence: Overview of the policy and practice status
2. Bridging poverty graduation and market systems development a sustainable solution to economic inclusion in protracted displacement settings | John Ilima, Kari Diener, Rahul Mitra - RSRI/RefugePoint, Mercy Corps/Village Enterprise DREAMS consortium and the Danish Refugee Council (Link to paper will be updated soon)
3. The Self-Reliance Evidence Review (SRER) | Kari Diener – RSRI/RefugePoint (Link to paper)
Session: Spotlight 1: Is a combination of mentorship + cash grants the key to transform livelihood outcomes? Launching Re: BUiLD’s wave 1 Randomized Control Trials (RCT) results
4. Benefits of cash alone and cash + mentorship for Kenyan and refugee micro-entrepreneurs in Nairobi, Kenya | Sana Khan – Princeton University and Beatrice Leydier – Georgetown University (Link to paper will be updated soon)
5. Mentoring Small Businesses: Evidence from Uganda | Thomas Ginn - CGD (Link to paper will be updated soon)
Session: Access to finance & microenterprises evidence deep dive
6. UNHCR Endline Performance Evaluation of the Phase 3 IKEA Foundation Livelihoods, Energy and Environment Projects Among Somali Refugees and Host Communities in Ethiopia | Yazan Abdallah – UNHCR in partnership with TANGO International (Link to paper will be updated soon)
7. “I’d rather pay for the tea” – bribes and refugee livelihoods in Nairobi | Jack Makau IIED and SDI-Kenya (Link to paper)
8. Scaling refugee-owned MSMEs: Assessing effects of targeted capacity-building and inclusive financing on livelihoods in Kakuma, Kenya | Rohin Onyango - Inkomoko (Link to paper)
9. Livelihoods of IDPs residing in towns and cities in Ethiopia | Caitlin Sturridge - ODI (Link to paper will be updated soon)
Theme 2: Access to jobs and skills development
Session: Access to jobs and skills development evidence deep dive
10. Improving Employment and Social Cohesion among Refugee and Host Communities through TVET | Abis Getachew - Jigjiga University (Link to paper)
11. Designing a Randomized Controlled Trial on Livelihoods for Refugees and Hosts: The Case of Re:BUiLD in Kampala | Thomas Ginn - CGD (Link to paper will be updated soon)
12. Unlocking Potential: Digital Freelancing as a Pathway for Refugee Economic Empowerment | Lorraine Charles - Na’amal and Jobtech Alliance (Link to paper will be updated soon)
Research & Policy Symposium: Day 2
Theme 3: Access to Justice and Legal Identity
Session: Access to justice and legal identity evidence deep dive
13. Legal barriers encountered by women in the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement | John Emmanuel Dei – through Refugee Led Research Hub (Link to paper will be updated soon)
14. Examining the Dynamics of Protection and Promotion of Durable Solutions for Urban Refugees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Dr. Alemu Asfaw Nigusie - Bahir Dar University (Link to paper will be updated soon
15. Understanding Socio Economic Barriers for Refugees in Kenya: Challenges with Registration and Documentation at Kakuma Refugee Camp | Rai Friedman - Global Rights Defenders (Link to paper will be updated soon)
Theme 4: Access to Social Protection
Session: Access to social protection evidence deep dive
16. Cash transfers amid shocks: A large, one-time, unconditional cash transfer to refugees in Uganda has multidimensional benefits | Emmanuel Rukundo - IDInsight and Apata Insights (Link to paper)
17. Impact Evaluation of a Cash Transfer and Psychosocial Training Program for Refugees in Kenya | Antonia Johanna Sophie Delius - World Bank, UNHCR and University of California, Berkeley (Link to paper will be updated soon)
18. Influence of Drought on Livelihoods’ Adaptive strategies of refugees with physical disabilities in Kakuma refugee camp | Muraya Peter - Refugee Led Research Hub (RLRH) (Link to paper will be updated soon)
19. Area-Based Assessments on Movement, Livelihoods, and Access to Basic Services in Adjumani Town and Mbarara City, Uganda | Melle Van-Hilten - IMPACT Initiatives (Link to paper)
Session: Spotlight 2: Building Evidence to Enhance Livelihoods of Refugees and Host Communities
20. The Kenya Analytical Program on Forced Displacement (KAP-FD) | Mirko Vintar - World Bank (Link to paper will be updated soon)
Meet The Speakers
Jashin Awuor
Government of Kenya
Patrick Okello
Commissioner for Refugees Management, Uganda
Rahel Kassa
National ID Program of Ethiopia
Fresiah Wanjiku Githumbi
High Court, Kenya
Moderators
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Caroline Njuki
International Labour Organization
Rufus Karanja
Embassy of the Switzerland
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Andrew Maina
Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS)
Kari Diener
Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative
Precious Zikhali
World Bank
Marion Kimani
IFC Africa - World Bank
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Banchiamlack Dessalegn
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Brian Ssebunya
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Priscilla Dembetembe
Re:BUiLD - IRC
Belinda Muya
Re:BUiLD - IRC
Keynote Speakers & Panelists
Miguel de Corral
World Bank
Antonia Delius
World Bank
Mirko Vintar
World Bank
Rai Friedman
Global Rights Defenders
Melle van Hilten
IMPACT Initiatives
Masud Rahman
UNHCR Kenya
Jane Mjambere
Refugee Women in Nairobi
Mohamed Hassan
Refugee-Led Research Hub
Lorraine Charles
Na'amal
Jacob Bonyo
RefugePoint
Rohin Otieno
INKOMOKO
Jack Makau
SDI Kenya
Beatrice Leydier
What Works Hub for Global Education
Emmanuel Nshakira
RWI Leibniz Institute for Economic Research
Alemu Asfaw
Bahir Dar University
Abis Getachew
AFRO-ROAD
Sana Khan
Princeton University
John Ilima
Village Enterprise
Peter Muraya
Refugee Led Research Hub
Rahul Mitra
Danish Refugee Council
Caitlin Sturridge
Overseas Development Institute (ODI)
Thomas Ginn
Center for Global Development (CGD)
John Emmanuel
Refugee Led Research Hub
Reflections from the Symposium
Policymakers, implementers, and event organizers shared their reflections on the critical themes discussed during the event:
We hope the exchange of ideas and research findings will continue to drive impactful change in policy and practice. We look forward to your continued support and participation in future discussions. Together, we can shape policies that create brighter futures for refugees and host communities.