Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Funded Project

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Funded "Strengthening Inclusive Socio-economic Development for Refugees and Host Communities in Ethiopia through a Multi-Stakeholder Approach and Strategic Advocacy" Project

Contents

Introduction

Strengthening Inclusive Socio-economic Development for Refugees and Host Communities in Ethiopia through a Multi-Stakeholder Approach and Strategic Advocacy – A Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Funded Project

 

Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, is implementing a transformative initiative titled “Strengthening Inclusive Socio-economic Development for Refugees and Host Communities in Ethiopia through a Multi-Stakeholder Approach and Strategic Advocacy.”

 

Running from July 2025 to December 2026, this $500,000 project aims to improve the lives and livelihoods of refugees and the communities that host them through a multi-faceted approach.

Vision

This initiative is dedicated to enhancing well-being and self-reliance by fostering inclusive environments, where both refugees and host communities can thrive together. By bridging the gap between national policy and community-level action, the idea is to create an enabling environment for sustainable socio-economic growth.

Key Focus Area

The project focuses on five strategic pillars to drive meaningful change:

  • Policy Advocacy & Inclusion: Advancing national policies and socio-economic inclusion to ensure refugees are integrated into governmental systems, including work permits and financial inclusion.
  • Government Capacity Building: Strengthening the capacity of federal, regional and local government actors to deliver inclusive services.
  • Economic Opportunity: Organizing Refugee Business Exhibitions and establishing Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) platforms to foster entrepreneurship and market access.
  • Digital Connectivity: Promoting inclusive e-government services to ensure displaced populations can access essential administrative and social services.
  • Community Awareness: Utilizing multi-lingual radio programs and awareness campaigns to promote social cohesion and inform communities of their rights and opportunities.

Strategic Locations

The interventions are strategically deployed across three key regions to reach diverse populations:

  • Somali Regional State: Focused on the Sheder, Kebribeyah and Awbare camps and hosting woredas.
  • Afar Regional State: Targeting the Aysaita and Berhale camps and their respective hosting woredas.
  • Addis Ababa: Specifically addressing the unique needs of urban refugees within the capital city.

Partner

This project is made possible through the support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Their commitment to the “Two Generation Approach”, investing in both children’s healthy development and parents’ economic opportunities aligns with RRS’ mission to create a more equitable and inclusive future for all.