EU, WFP and UNHCR formalize a joint project to refugees and host communities graduate to self-reliance

Kigali, Rwanda – November 19, 2025: The Minister in Charge of Emergency Management witnessed the signing of an agreement to formalise the joint “Refugee Socio-Economic Graduation & Livelihood Opportunities in Rwanda” project between the European Union (EU), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the World Food Programme (WFP). This three-year project is designed to support 3,200 refugee families and 800 host community families to achieve greater selfreliance in meeting their basic needs.

This project marks a significant step forward in implementing Rwanda’s Refugee Sustainable Graduation Strategy (2025–2030), a landmark initiative that aims to help 50% of refugee households in Rwanda transition from dependence on humanitarian assistance to sustainable livelihoods by 2030. The initiative is made possible through a 10,000,000 Euros contribution from the European Union, underscoring its strong commitment to advancing durable solutions for refugees and host communities

Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Maj. Gen, (Rtd) Albert MURASIRA, Minister in Charge of Emergency Management, said “This project marks an important milestone in creating meaningful pathways to self-reliance for refugees in Rwanda. By supporting 4,000 refugee and host community households to graduate into sustainable livelihoods, we are demonstrating the power of strong partnerships to drive tangible, lasting change and strengthen the resilience of communities.”

Mr. Martin Seychell, the European Union Deputy Director General at the DG for International Partnerships, stated: “The programme we sign today is a concrete demonstration of the European Union’s support to the ambitions of the Government of Rwanda to enable refugee households to move from aid dependence to self-reliance.

Thanks to EU support through this and other projects, close to 20% of refugee households should advance towards economic inclusion. This new initiative further strengthens our longstanding engagement in the Great Lakes region and reflects our broader commitment to the humanitarian–development–peace nexus, which is more essential than ever in a context of increasing pressure on limited resources.”

This project will deliver a sequenced package of interventions – including physical toolkits and targeted cash payments as well as tailored training on issues like entrepreneurship or climate-smart agriculture techniques – to help 4000 households in five camps and host communities transition from aid dependency to self-reliance, in alignment with the national Refugee Sustainable Graduation Strategy. Further, this project will maximize its sustainable, long-term impact by, for example, providing key support to Village Savings and Loans Associations.

Mr. Andrea Bagnoli, WFP Country Director and Representative, stated “Today, we are

starting a new chapter where refugees are seen not as ‘beneficiaries’ but as entrepreneurs, active contributors to the community and Rwandan economy. By working hand in hand with MINEMA and our partners, we are turning promise into practice”.

Rwanda currently hosts over 136,000 refugees, primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Many have relied on humanitarian aid for years. By embedding refugee support within Rwanda’s development plans and linking beneficiaries to markets and financial services, this project offers a replicable model for durable solutions.

Ms. Ritu Shroff, UNHCR Representative in Rwanda, added: “As we sign this agreement today, we reaffirm something fundamental: that refugees and host communities alike deserve the opportunity to live dignified, productive, and independent lives — and that with the right support, they absolutely can. UNHCR remains committed to working side by side with MINEMA, the European Union, WFP, and all partners to ensure that this project delivers meaningful, lasting impact.”

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For more information, please contact:

• MINEMA: Vincent NIYIBIZI, Communications Specialist – [email protected], +250 785 789 901
• European Union: Juliette Karitanyi; Press and Information Officer –[email protected]; +250 788 31 047
• UNHCR: Tim Shoffner, External Relations Officer – [email protected], +250 788 369 092
• WFP: Annet Mutesi, External Partnerships & Communication – [email protected], +250 788 763 077