Project
Kenya: Leadership and entrepreneurship for women
In Kakuma and Kalobeyei in northwestern Kenya, refugees and local communities live side by side. Young women, in particular, have limited access to education, paid work, financing, and places where they can participate in decision-making. Through the Women's Empowerment for Sustainable Change program, women receive the knowledge, guidance, and network to turn their ideas into their own businesses or initiatives for their communities.
Investing in female leadership
Many refugees live in Kakuma and Kalobeyei for years, or even grow up there. Women and girls face poverty, limited access to education and work, and an increased risk of exploitation and gender-based violence. At the same time, they possess talent, entrepreneurial spirit, and ideas, but often lack the skills, funding, and networks to put them into practice.
The WESC program brings women from the refugee and local communities together in a leadership and entrepreneurship program. By learning together, exchanging experiences, and supporting each other, they develop the skills and self-confidence to become more economically independent. At the same time, new connections are formed between both communities, strengthening mutual trust, cooperation, and social cohesion.
Skills to move forward
The program is executed by Kalobeyei Initiative for Better Life (KI4BLI), an organization founded by young refugees themselves that therefore knows the community from the inside. Participants receive training in leadership, entrepreneurship, financial management, and digital skills. With personal guidance, they develop their idea into a viable business or social initiative.
Via Reemar, Moreover, through KI4BLI's e-commerce platform for refugee entrepreneurs, they can bring their products and services to the attention of new customers. Practical barriers are removed as much as possible: for instance, childcare is available during training sessions so that women with young children can also participate fully.
How can you contribute?
The program helps 50 women build their own businesses or social initiatives. Through this, the impact is expected to reach approximately 500 family members and other people in their immediate circle. The women increase their income, self-confidence, and influence, while cooperation between refugees and the local community is strengthened. The ambition extends further: by training more female entrepreneurs, new role models, employment, and opportunities are created for other women in Kakuma and Kalobeyei. In this way, the impact can gradually expand to more families and communities. Will your company join as a partner to make this movement possible and help it grow further?
