A group of women and men from Uganda standing with certificates in their hands and three people from Europe

Strengthening organisational capacities of refugee-led organisations in Northern Uganda 

Funding partner: Basismedizin für Kinder in Not e.V.

Funding amount: 14,000 EUR 

Timeline: 03/2025 - 04/2025 

Location: Gulu District and Palabek Refugee Settlement, Northern Uganda

Implementing partners: Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) (Kampala, Uganda)

Participating organisations: Paluda Farmers’ Sacco, Life Transformation Program Uganda (LTPU), The Leads, YAWRES Uganda

Context

Palabek Refugee Settlement is located in Northern Uganda, near the border with South Sudan. It was established in 2017 to accommodate refugees fleeing armed conflict. Today, it hosts more than 80,000 people, the majority of whom rely heavily on humanitarian assistance to meet basic needs. In recent years, however, international aid cuts have increased the vulnerability of these communities.

In this context, refugee-led organisations (RLOs) have taken on a crucial role. These grassroots groups, founded and managed by refugees themselves, deliver essential services such as peacebuilding and social cohesion, psychosocial support, youth engagement, and livelihoods initiatives. However, most of these organisations face serious capacity constraints, including weak governance structures, limited financial management systems, and a lack of access to training and mentoring opportunities.

This project was designed to address these gaps. It aimed to equip RLOs in Palabek with stronger organisational foundations and the tools to deliver effective, community-driven responses.

Project objective

The goal of the project was to strengthen the internal capacities of selected refugee-led organisations in the Palabek Refugee Settlement. It focused on enhancing their strategic vision, operational systems, and ability to engage more effectively with donors, authorities, and their own communities.

A man pointing at a flipchart while a small group of people is looking at it

Project approach

The project was collaboratively developed and implemented by MatchLocal and YARID Uganda. The approach prioritised locally driven participation, contextual relevance, and peer-to-peer learning.

Phase 1: Organisational Self-Assessment 

In March 2025, YARID facilitators conducted a structured self-assessment developed by MatchLocal with seven pre-identified RLOs based in Palabek. The assessment was supported by a custom tool built using KoBoToolbox and explored key areas of capacity, including leadership, planning, finance, partnerships, and learning systems.

This process enabled each organisation to reflect on its strengths and gaps. It also generated data used to tailor the content of the upcoming workshop. The participatory nature of the assessment helped build ownership and motivation for continued organisational development.

Phase 2: Organisational Development Workshops 

Based on the assessment results, four RLOs were selected to join an intensive two-day workshop held in Gulu on 31 March and 1 April 2025. Each organisation was represented by three participants, ensuring a mix of leadership and operational perspectives.

The workshop focused on four core thematic areas:

• Vision, Mission, and Strategy Development 
• Communication and Stakeholder Engagement 
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) 
• Financial Management and Reporting

Sessions combined participatory facilitation techniques with hands-on exercises and group work. Templates and tools were adapted to fit the needs and realities of small, grassroots organisations. Following the workshop, MatchLocal and YARID travelled to Palabek Refugee Settlement for a field mission on 2 April. The visit included meetings with the Office of the Prime Minister, the UNHCR, and the camp management, as well as site visits to observe income-generating projects led by participating RLOs. 

A man standing explaining something to a group of people sitting in a conference room
A man pointing at a flipchart with a small group of people looking at it

Outcomes and Impact 

The project produced a range of practical outcomes: 

• Participating organisations developed clearer visions and strategies for their work. 
• Knowledge of financial management tools and funding types, budgeting, and reporting significantly improved. 
• Participants gained greater confidence in monitoring and impact tracking of their organisation’s activities and impact. 
• Organisations acquired basic tools for engaging with donors, writing funding proposals and they explored different fundraising strategies. 
• Peer networks among RLOs were strengthened, leading to increased collaboration and shared learning. 

Participants expressed a strong desire for continued support, particularly through mentoring and follow-up sessions to consolidate what they had learned. 

Reflections and way forward 

This project highlights the importance of investing in the institutional capacity of refugee-led organisations. These actors are often the first responders in crisis situations, with deep community ties and a clear understanding of local needs. When equipped with the right knowledge, skills, and support, they can lead sustainable change from within their own communities. 

Moving forward, MatchLocal and YARID plan to explore opportunities for continued engagement. Future activities may include ongoing mentoring, linkages to funding networks, and expanded training for additional RLOs in Northern Uganda and beyond. The long-term vision is to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive humanitarian system, where refugee-led organisations are not only recognised as implementers but also as leaders in shaping local development.