projects

Digital skills mentorship to facilitate online livelihoods

Completed
Students sit in a room with laptops
Participants of the pilot project implemented by JRS and Konexio in Dzaleka refugee camp. Photo: JRS/UNHCR.
Start Date
Total Project Cost
USD 50,000.000
Country
Malawi
Project Team
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) , UNHCR Malawi

Challenge

Encampment policies for refugees and asylum-seekers in Malawi limit access to socioeconomic opportunities and exacerbate poverty. These issues are compounded in the Dzaleka settlement by the shortage of skilled workers in the community. 

Solution

UNHCR is providing 50 community members with digital skills mentorship and onboarding onto digital labour platforms, as well as connectivity and laptops to facilitate freelance work online. 

Impact

Enhanced self-reliance and improved online livelihood opportunities, as well as economic and social inclusion (with project participants assisted to open bank accounts and secure identity cards). The project will indirectly impact 400 individuals.

Project impact

58
students, including 54 refugees, gain computer skills & guidance on freelancing
21137
USD earnings made within 6 months, thanks to online gig work

Other information

As part of this project, facilitators supported participants to navigate and create profiles in freelancing platforms, enabling them to engage in gig works involving data entry, translation, graphic design, and online marketing. Read more in our webstory.