May 28, IGNITE Food Systems Challenge: Empowering Refugee Communities in Rwanda

Impact Hub Kigali, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), will extend its support to the third edition of the IGNITE Food Systems Challenge: Empowering Refugee Communities in Rwanda, with a primary focus on empowering refugees and addressing their livelihood needs. This initiative seeks to foster entrepreneurship and investment in ventures that enhance food systems, combat hunger, and elevate food security, with a particular emphasis on serving refugee populations.

What the Program Offers

Selected ventures will have access to the following benefits that will support them to scale their businesses:

Up to $25,000 in grant funding

5-month tailored technical support with experts

Networking opportunities and access to events

Access to market and industry resources

Exposure to potential investors and funding opportunities

Who Are We Looking for?

We are seeking dynamic and impactful businesses—including startups, MSMEs, and cooperatives—operating in Rwanda to participate in our program. Applicants with commercially viable solutions aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of refugees are invited to apply. Eligible businesses must be registered in Rwanda and actively engaged in operations that are either owned by refugees or significantly benefit refugees.

Refugee Empowerment and Livelihood Solutions

Food Systems Innovations to Benefit Refugee Communities

Leveraging Digitization to Improve Refugees’ Access to Food and Resources

Facilitating Access to Financial Resources and Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Refugees

Enhancing Refugees’ Access to Employment Opportunities and Markets

Infrastructure Development to Support Refugee Settlements and Communities

Providing Training and Skills Development Programs Tailored to Refugee Needs

Promoting Social Enterprise and Cooperative Models to Benefit Refugee Entrepreneurs

Eligibility Criteria

Non-Refugee-Owned Businesses

The business must directly impact refugees in Rwanda or seek to enhance the livelihoods of refugees.

Must be a registered business in Rwanda with at least 2 years of operations.

Provision of RDB/RCA certificate

Must have a team of at least two full-time members dedicated to the MSME or cooperative, including the founding team.

At least 50% of the founding or senior management team must be Rwandan.

Must have proof of revenues of at least RWF 5,000,000 for the full year of 2023.

Must have existing key operations in Rwanda.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; IGNITE Food Systems Challenge: Empowering Refugee Communities in Rwanda

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