ECOREF project: Refugees, host Communities welcome toolkits support to create and expand businesses  

By Michel Nkurunziza.

Beneficiaries of the project “Dukorane Umurava – Upscaling Economic Inclusion of Refugees and Host Communities to Gicumbi District”, are looking to use toolkits and equipment for job creation and business expansion.

Dukorane Umurava is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

It was set up in 2021 to upscale the activities of the GIZ project Economic Inclusion of Refugees and Host Communities (ECOREF) to Gicumbi district and Gihembe refugee camp. Since the closure of Gihembe camp, the project continues to support the former host community in Gicumbi, as well as refugees who were relocated from Gihembe to Mahama refugee camp (Kirehe district).

In order to promote business start-ups and expansion, GIZ is partnering with the Rwanda Rural Rehabilitation Initiative (RWARRI) to provide toolkits to selected refugees and host community members who completed short-term technical and vocational education and training (TVET) under Dukorane Umurava, as well as equipment to existing businesses with growth potential.

During two ceremonies in Mahama Refugee Camp in Kirehe district and the Centre Pastoral EAR Byumba in Gicumbi district, 172 young refugees and Rwandans, as well as five existing businesses received toolkits and equipment, in trades such as tailoring, electricity, mechanics, culinary arts, construction and hairdressing.

The partnership between RWARRI and GIZ also supported the set-up and strengthening of saving groups (GSLAs) to encourage the financial literacy and business mindset of TVET graduates through capacity building and accompaniment.

Beneficiaries had to compete with other applicants to get toolkits/equipment.

The final numbers and names of the candidates chosen among the others to be provided with toolkits and equipment support were determined after these applications were examined and analyzed by RWARRI and GIZ, based on a set of pre-determined criteria

The toolkits and equipment distribution ceremonies also connected the toolkits/equipment recipients with other key partners such as the district, the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Integrated Craft Product Centers (ICPCs), and Public Sector Federation (PSF).

The beneficiaries must consent to the sustainable use of the toolkits and equipment.

Charlotte Byukusenge, from the Kageyo sector in Gicumbi district, is one of the beneficiaries.

“I studied culinary arts. The project was timely, given that I needed toolkits. I was jobless, but this will help me create a job and become an entrepreneur. As graduates, we will work together and be able to create jobs for other unemployed youth,” she said.

Together with fellow TVET graduates, Byukusenge, 25, a GSLA member, received cookware, saucepans, dishes, furniture and a fridge to support their restaurant business.

“As graduates, we saved money and have already rented a house to open a restaurant. We appreciate the partners who have provided the toolkits support and TVET skills,” she said.

Philbert Nyirimanzi, the representative of a cooperative comprising members with disabilities in the Byumba sector, said that the toolkit supports their workshop that makes clothes from weaving using yarn.

“We got three weaving machines to make clothes. They can help produce a large number of sweaters per day. The quality of clothes will also improve,” he said.

The cooperative is among the existing enterprises who received equipment to expand their business.

“We got the toolkits after applying for the support; we appreciated the knowledge gained under RWARRI facilitation. As people with disabilities, we will also work to facilitate other people with disabilities. We will train them free of charge as our commitment before receiving the support. This will boost Made-in-Rwanda garments,” he said.

The Executive Director of RWARRI, Belange Uwizeye, said that the toolkits and equipment will ensure self-reliance among refugees and host communities without relying on external aid.

Aimable Gahire, an officer in charge of business development and employment in Gicumbi district, said that the interventions by Dukorane Umurava align with the district’s performance contracts to boost business and productive job creation, especially among the youth.

Rwanda seeks to create 214,000 off-farm jobs annually, making 1.5 million jobs by 2024.

“We commend the interventions because they will help the district to create new jobs and reach 20 per cent compared to this fiscal year target,” he said.