Enterprise Innovation Challenge for Jobs Creation for Refugees and Host Communities (Kenya)

The focus of the program is to provide technical, financial and non-financial support to start or grow innovative and sustainable business ideas with potential to create decent jobs for refugees and host communities; provide refugees and vulnerable host communities with immediate and direct financial and non-financial support needed to start and develop income-generating activities; provide entrepreneurship, business management, financial literacy and technical capacity building through upskilling and reskilling training; link refugees and host community members with financial services providers and raise awareness about the business potential of the market segment; demonstrate the viability of investing in sustainable enterprises by refugees and host communities to business development services and financial service providers; and enhance the decent work agenda by improving working conditions, access to social protection, and fundamental principles.

The Enterprise Innovation Challenge seeks to empower refugee and host community businesses by equipping them with the necessary skills, tools, and resources to succeed in a competitive market environment. Selected participants will benefit from business development services, strategic business coaching, and connections to investment opportunities aimed at accelerating enterprise growth and sustainability.

Applications are open to organizations that are constituents of the ILO or affiliated members, including governmental, employers’, and workers’ organizations, as well as non-profit entities such as NGOs, foundations, research institutions, business support institutions, and educational institutions. Applicants must have prior experience in organizing innovation and enterprise challenges and are encouraged to form partnerships leveraging diverse expertise.

The ILO seeks an implementation partner with a proven track record in enterprise growth, particularly within refugee and host communities. Eligible applicants include business development implementing partners, innovation hubs, business incubators, NGOs, and training institutions that focus on business incubation and job creation. Organizations must be legally registered in Kenya, operate as non-profits, and have been in existence for at least three years before the call deadline. Demonstrated experience using ILO Business Development Service tools such as Generate Your Business Idea (GYB), Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB), and Financial Education will be an added advantage.

For more information, visit ReliefWeb.