Center for Youth Innovation and Experiential Learning: Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda

Nakivale youth are involved in agriculture and vocational activities that generate support for themselves and their families. In collaboration with the Experiential Learning Network (ELN) from the University at Buffalo, KBTN recently conducted a survey to explore youth interests related to Experiential Learning and possible engagement. The survey revealed dozens of active projects throughout the three zones including raising crops, livestock, tailoring, arts and poetry, food preparation and IT to name just a few. In addition to active projects, participants shared many past projects that have failed due to lack of funding, expertise, and leadership. Group and village leaders shared overwhelming support (100% of those interviewed) for the idea of a center that would provide training and resources to improve existing programs while introducing new technologies and opportunities for groups and individual youth to develop entrepreneurship skills along with specialized knowledge. All groups emphasized the need for strong leadership, support and sustainability to ensure success and sustainability

From the survey it was clear that there was interest in Experiential Learning and opportunities to offer training and support related to youth agriculture and vocational projects. A follow-up survey revealed priority projects and needs that will serve as the foundation for SDG Project Challenges. They include (by Zone)

Participating group leaders identified Tailoring and Crafts as priority projects along with IT as an emerging area of focus (despite the 15 members only having 1 computer). They indicated that crafts were already being made and sold with goods ready to share with markets. However, the youth groups needed support developing external markets as well as help with supplies and materials including additional sewing machines. They also requested general entrepreneurship and leadership development.

Participating group leaders identified Poultry and Goat Rearing as priority projects with a strong foundation already in place. In this zone there is sufficient land for grazing and adequate pasture for animals. These activities also provide a strong alternative to growing crops which is becoming more difficult since there is growing competition for land as is where all the new refugee entrants are settled. There are ready markets in and outside camp and favorable government conditions. Members of this zone already have knowledge and experience although they need training on breeding and help securing superior breeds of chickens. They also need shelters for goats along with general entrepreneurship and leadership development.

Participants from Juru identified BeeKeeping and Vegetable Growing as priority activities. For beekeeping they have many flowers and bees and ready markets. However, they need training on more modern and effective beekeeping practices to increase production of honey and other products. For vegetable growing, their zone is near Lake Nakivale and the land is fertile and open since  people are not settled on the shores but reserved for vegetable growing. They have ready markets within and outside  Nakivale and are already selling in nearby Kenya and South Sudan. They need access to materials like water pumps,tools and agricultural chemicals in addition to seeds and farming equipment.

Across all zones, groups requested support for entrepreneurship, business skills, leadership development and computer programming skills as well as a permanent building in base camp for activities like exhibitions,meetings,seminars,as well as the operation site for IT and tailoring groups.

Students are invited to engage in the following activities. Individual and group projects will feature close collaboration with the KBTN team and will be customized based on student skills and interests, focusing on the following:

• Help to identify trainers and training programs for entrepreneurship, leadership and computer programming
• Develop a brand and marketing materials to promote new center
• Help identify external markets for craft projects,tailoring products and potentially beekeeping products (like beeswax and honey)
• Develop a business plan for the new center that will aim at return on investment for the sustainability of the center and all its projects
• Identify grants and prepare for funding opportunities
• Other activities as proposed 

• KBTN (KYETE BIINGI TAI NYEME) A refugee-led community-based organization in Nakivale Refugee Settlement Camp. Isingiro District, Uganda

UNSDG, ELN, SUNY, Project Challenge, IITG