On 20 and 21 April,2026, Grapes of New Hope (GNH) successfully conducted a 2-day Business Ideation Workshop (Youth Entrepreneurship and Business Development Training Workshop) in Nakivale Refugee Settlement for youth who previously completed vocational skilling in 2025 and have now taken the bold step of starting small businesses. The workshop brought together energetic young entrepreneurs who are transforming acquired skills into practical livelihood opportunities.
GNH, with support from Woord en Daad and funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (MoFA-NL), is implementing the Skilling and Start-Up Seed Fund for Refugees and Host Communities under the LEAD Programme. This initiative is designed to strengthen resilience, self-reliance, and inclusive economic opportunities for refugees and host community members through skilling, entrepreneurship, and business development support.
The workshop focused on critical areas for enterprise success, including Business Management, Record Keeping and Accountability, Teamwork and Leadership, Marketing, and other practical business development skills. Through interactive sessions, participants improved their operational management, prepared for startup kits, strengthened customer engagement, and positioned their businesses for sustainable growth.
By investing in youth-led enterprises, the LEAD Programme is helping young people transition from vocational training into viable entrepreneurship pathways that generate income, create jobs, and strengthen household resilience. Such interventions contribute directly to stronger local economies and peaceful coexistence within refugee-hosting communities.
Grapes of New Hope remains committed to empowering refugees and host communities with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to build brighter futures through innovation, enterprise, and sustainable livelihoods. #communityempewerment #uplift #communityeconomicdevelopment #refugees #skills #changemakers #humanity #unhcr
