Strengthening Urban Refugee Resilience through Climate Smart Livelihoods Initiative in Kampala 

The Re:BUiLD program, led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) with support from the IKEA Foundation, has been collaborating with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) for the past four years to enhance refugee integration and service delivery in Kampala. This partnership focuses on addressing challenges faced by refugees and vulnerable host communities, particularly in accessing livelihood opportunities and essential services.

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Building on this collaboration, Re:BUiLD, KCCA, and the Raising Gabdho Foundation (RGF) are implementing a 12-month climate-smart livelihoods project. The project is empowering refugees and vulnerable host community members by building their capacity to engage in income-generating activities that meet their daily needs. Additionally, the partnership is ensuring effective implementation of commitments toward refugee inclusion through advocacy, policy discussions, and routine monitoring.

To kick-start the project, an inception workshop was held on March 6, 2025, at Skyz Hotel Kampala. Organized by KCCA and RGF, the workshop introduced the project's objectives, expected outcomes, and implementation strategy to key stakeholders and refugee leaders. It also facilitated discussions on best practices, challenges, and opportunities in promoting sustainable income-generating activities for refugees in Kampala.

Through these collaborative efforts, the Re:BUiLD program, KCCA, and RGF are creating sustainable livelihood solutions that empower urban refugees and vulnerable host communities, fostering economic self-reliance and resilience in the face of climate change.  

Focus on Sustainable Pathways in Kampala

Three climate-smart livelihood pathways, i.e., mushroom cultivation, black soldier fly (BSF) production, and briquette manufacturing, were selected based on key factors such as:

• Availability of Raw Materials: Each pathway utilizes readily accessible materials in Kampala. Mushroom farming employs agricultural waste like straw and sawdust; BSF production uses organic waste such as food scraps; and briquette manufacturing repurposes biomass waste like charcoal dust and agricultural residues.
• Cost of Production: These ventures require low initial investment and operational costs, making them accessible to urban refugees and host community members. For instance, BSF farming can be initiated with minimal equipment and organic waste, while briquette production leverages inexpensive, locally sourced materials.
• Market Demand: There is a growing demand for sustainable products in Kampala. Mushrooms are a nutritious food source with high market value; BSF larvae serve as affordable, high-protein animal feed; and briquettes offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cooking fuels.
• Affordability for Consumers: The end products are cost-effective for consumers. BSF-based animal feed is cheaper than conventional options like fishmeal, and briquettes provide a more affordable cooking fuel compared to charcoal or firewood.

By focusing on these criteria, the Re:BUiLD program ensures that the selected livelihood pathways are sustainable, economically viable, and beneficial to both producers and consumers in the urban refugee and host communities of Kampala.

Target and Inclusion Strategy:

The project aims to reach 500 individuals, with a participation ratio of 60% refugees and 40% host community members. This inclusive approach fosters social cohesion and ensures that both communities benefit from livelihood opportunities.