More than 1,100 young people from Nakivale Refugee Settlement and neighboring host communities in Isingiro District have acquired entrepreneurship and agribusiness skills, enabling them to establish businesses and improve their livelihoods.

The beneficiaries are part of the Connecting Youth to Gainful Entrepreneurship Project (Y-Connect), implemented by AVSI Foundation with funding from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The project's achievements were highlighted during a learning and close-out event held at Nakivale Multipurpose Centre, Basecamp, in Isingiro District.

The two-year initiative seeks to improve the livelihoods of 1,700 refugee and host-community youths through entrepreneurship development, agribusiness and access to financial services.

The Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda, Bouwe-Jan Smeding, who attended the event as chief guest, reaffirmed his country's commitment to supporting youth empowerment, refugee livelihoods and inclusive economic development.

The project, which commenced in December 2024 and is expected to run until December 2026, targets 1,100 young people who are not in employment, education or training, as well as 600 secondary school students.

According to AVSI Foundation, 1,145 beneficiaries have so far acquired practical entrepreneurship and agribusiness skills, with many already operating businesses that have been running for more than seven months.

The young entrepreneurs have been trained in several agricultural and business value chains, including poultry farming, piggery, horticulture, meat processing, bakery and juice production.

Beyond business development, the project has also promoted financial inclusion through the establishment of 43 Village Savings and Loans Associations, bringing together more than 1,000 young people who are saving and building their financial resilience.

The intervention comes against the backdrop of Uganda's continued role as a major refugee-hosting country, with approximately two million refugees and asylum seekers from countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, according to the 2026 UNHCR statistics cited at the event.

The growing refugee population has increased pressure on livelihood opportunities, essential services and resources in host communities, highlighting the need for sustainable economic interventions.

AVSI Foundation says equipping refugees and host-community members with practical skills, access to finance and market-oriented opportunities is critical in reducing economic dependence and enabling communities to rebuild their lives with dignity.

The project contributes to Sustainable Development Goal Eight on Decent Work and Economic Growth, particularly through promoting entrepreneurship, youth employability and sustainable livelihoods.