Reframe

In Reframe Voices Issue #4, Dr. Aron Tesfai dismantles the narratives used to divide us. After visiting 12 RLOs in South Africa, his research reveals that these organisations aren't just serving refugees; they are creating shared solutions for shared problems. From digital literacy to GBV advocacy, RLOs are filling the gaps for the 38% of the population living below the poverty line. Social justice isn't found in division—it’s found in collective action against exclusion. 📖 Read the full feature: drive.google.com/file/d/1HDJhLo…

𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀! 🎉 We are building on the energy of our previous session with this informal space created for refugee leaders and organisations to connect—without the usual "webinar" pressure or structured presentations. 📅𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟰:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠 𝗘𝗔𝗧. These one-hour sessions focus on meaningful, relaxed dialogue. Join the conversation to: -Network with peer organisations leading impactful work. -Navigate real-world challenges within a supportive peer group. -Foster new relationships across different regions and backgrounds. If you are looking for an authentic environment to build community and deepen your professional connections, we would love to have you with us. Register for the second edition here: tinyurl.com/yekkr666

📣 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗽: 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 1. Wake Alpha Elimu – Tujiunge VSLA in Buguta Zone gained entrepreneurship skills on loan management and business growth, advancing community financial literacy. 2. Farming and health education."FHE". – On 5 May, 17 students graduated from the Nutrition & Reproductive Health Certificate in Kenya, ready to strengthen wellbeing and food security in Kakuma and Turkana. 3.AEJ‑DRC – In Uvira, 45 vulnerable children receive education, healthcare, and psychosocial support, restoring hope, dignity, and promoting social inclusion. 4. Roots of Generations – A woman returned from Kakuma to South Sudan, now thriving with land and farming, moving beyond food aid to self‑reliance and dignity. 5.Humanity Hands – Committed to ensuring every girl lives with dignity and opportunity, providing resources, mentorship, and safe spaces to stay in school and pursue aspirations. Explore the full range of organisations on Reframe and see how they are transforming their communities at reframe.network

Organisation Spotlight on: EcoRise South Sudan (ERSS) ✨ EcoRise South Sudan (ERSS) is a dynamic grassroots organisation tackling South Sudan’s interconnected crises through innovation and community empowerment. Founded by a coalition of activists and tech innovators, ERSS bridges the gap between environmental sustainability and social stability. By focusing on climate resilience and digital inclusion, they ensure that women, youth, and marginalised groups are at the forefront of a peaceful, green future. Their mission focuses on uniting communities to rise stronger by implementing sustainable, locally-led climate solutions and bridging divides through digital empowerment. By elevating women and youth as leaders, ERSS is driving transformative change and working toward a vision of a transformed South Sudan defined by lasting peace and equity. Join us in celebrating their vital work in building a resilient and inclusive future for all. Learn more about their amazing work on reframe.network

In a new feature for the fourth issue of Reframe Voices, Deo Kamuzinzi from Youth Voices Community - YVC explores the shift from top-down aid to refugee-led leadership. For decades, INGOs have designed responses for refugees, often overlooking the "contextual intelligence" and trust held by those within the community. Deo challenges the myth of the “capacity gap,” arguing that proximity and lived experience are professional strengths that cannot be outsourced. The question is no longer whether Refugee-Led Organisations (RLOs) are ready to lead—it’s whether the global system is willing to invest in them. Read the full issue here: tinyurl.com/vv8e49ny #RefugeeLed #Agency #RefugeeLeadership

📣 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗽: 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 1.SARLN Refugee leaders in #KZN, #Gauteng, & #Limpopo are taking a stand against rising urban crime. Marking #75yearsoftheRefugeeConvention, SARLN demands that refugee voices lead the hunt for safety. Protection is a right, not an option. 2. EYE Uganda: The organisation recently hosted Cohere to showcase their latest community innovations. The visit focused on exchanging ideas to strengthen their mission and building deeper partnerships with stakeholders to expand social impact. 3. Inspire for Change CBO: Construction is underway on a new community hall! This hub for learning and empowerment is moving forward with support from Cohere. The CBO is nearing the next phase of development for this vital community space. 4. CAPRIDIS: In eastern DRC, CAPRIDIS and partners are hosting a 47-org summit (Apr 30–May 1). The training focuses on social cohesion and humanitarian response to bridge aid gaps in Uvira and manage operations in active conflict zones. 5. YIDA: YIDA, Hodari Foundation, and Mastercard Foundation distributed PPE to mushroom farmers in #KyakaII. Gumboots and gear were provided to Cohort II participants to ensure sterile conditions for a healthy harvest. #YouthEmpowerment Explore the full range of organisations on Reframe and see how they are transforming their communities at reframe.network #Community #RefugeeLed #Reframe

We are so excited to announce that the 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 is officially out! 🎉 In this issue we confront a persistent myth in the humanitarian sector: the "capacity gap." For decades, systems have been designed for refugees, framing them as passive recipients rather than architects of their own solutions. This collection from East and Southern Africa reveals that the problem isn't a lack of ability, but a system that fails to recognise it. When global systems stalled during COVID-19, refugee-led organisations were already holding the line. Their readiness is not a future goal; it is a long-standing reality. The real gap is one of intention. Refugee leaders are trusted to implement, but rarely to decide. They are present in the work, but absent from power. Is the system finally ready to let go of the wheel? 🔗Read the full issue here: tinyurl.com/vv8e49ny Featuring voices from: Deo Kamuzinzi, Samuel Binja, Aron Tesfai, Mendy Abdulasur, Emmanuel Arika, Joviale Umwari, Joseph Mugerwa, and Adhiambo Mugenya. #RefugeeLeadership #Refugees #RefugeeVoices #ReframeVoices #Localisation #Inclusion #Trust

Wrapping up our Disability Mainstreaming Training: inclusion must be intentional—at home, in schools, in institutions & humanitarian response. Grateful to our partners, leaders & stakeholders for their insights. Step by step, we can build systems that protect & include PWDs.

In her recent reflection, Ruth Njiri examines the complexities of navigating a relationship-based model within WeAreCohere. She observes that bureaucratic systems have increasingly encroached upon the foundation of trust in partnerships, noting that the pressure for compliance often diminishes the capacity for genuine human connection. She emphasises that the most transparent and effective collaborations are those fostered through proximity and mutual trust. Her analysis challenges the sector to look beyond paperwork and return to more authentic engagement. Reframe Voices is a monthly journal amplifying refugee-led advocacy and lived experiences, challenging conventional humanitarian narratives. Read the full feature by Ruth and more articles from Reframe Voices here: tinyurl.com/3et2wsdk #Trust #Inclusion #Partnerships #RefugeeLeadership

@WeAreCohere_Org See you there!

@ReframeNetwork Excited to join 🔥🙌

We have today received a delegation from the Global Platform for Action (GPA). This engagement aims to explore a strategic partnership that will enable RLOs to engage in scalable and sustainable energy solutions within the refugee communities. Read more: bit.ly/4uwUl6r

On Ref FM KK 📻, we hosted a talk show on SRHR rights, contraception, and access to #reproductiveHealthServices. With legal experts, counselors, health practitioners & RAI’s #SRHR team, we’re breaking stigma and sharing facts. @SAAFfund #Writingourstory

Bana Mazembe has supported youth in Rwamwanja for years using his own resources. If a leader has the unwavering trust of their community, why isn't that the first step in our due diligence? Rethinking how we fund refugee leadership: tinyurl.com/j8s8ywvy

Can we achieve true agency for refugee-led organisations while working within Global North funding structures? Julia & Edmund dive into the “scaling trap” and why local initiatives are changing the game. Listen to their perspectives 🔗 Spotify: tinyurl.com/3nfp99xh

📣 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗽: 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 1. Hope and Haven – Over the last month, the team delivered 5,150 daily meals and clothing to nearly 2,000 displaced people while responding to a measles outbreak in East Darfur. Marking three years of conflict in Sudan, they are calling for urgent funding to address the rapidly growing humanitarian needs. 2. Bright Peace Foundation – A visit from We Are Cohere highlighted the progress of a chalk production project that empowers young refugee girls with vocational skills. Since 2025, this initiative has successfully supported 10 different schools within the Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement. 3. Youth Initiative for Community Empowerment (YICE) – A new grant from Cohere will expand regenerative farming practices for 200 smallholder households in Nakivale. The project aims to restore soil fertility and strengthen food security for families hit hardest by climate variability. 4. YFTC Uganda – ICT Hub users are sharing how digital access is building their futures while emphasizing the need for more devices to reach more people. Supporting this hub ensures more young people gain the tools necessary for long-term success. 5. Kalobeyei Integrated Youth Progress – A recent community-led clean-up campaign focused on solid waste management and the promotion of recycling habits. Local volunteers and leaders worked together to foster a culture of environmental sustainability and public health. Explore the full range of organisations on Reframe and see how they are transforming their communities at reframe.network

𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗻: 𝗚𝗘𝗘𝗦𝗜 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 GEESI Development and Humanitarian Initiative (formerly Great Step Initiative) is a refugee-led organisation providing relief and sustainable empowerment in Adagom, Nigeria. Based in the Adagom 1 Refugee Settlement in Ogoja, Cross River State, they serve displaced populations and host communities across Cross River and Taraba. Their work focuses on protection and wellbeing, specifically mental health, psychosocial support, Gender-Based Violence prevention, and child protection. Additionally, they lead vital preventive health efforts by promoting sanitation to ensure a safer and healthier living environment for everyone in the community. GEESI’s mission is to enable individuals to achieve productive, sustainable livelihoods. Through skill acquisition and poverty alleviation, they empower people to be self-sufficient and contribute positively to society. Their vision is to prepare a better, more resilient living environment where refugees and host communities alike can meet their needs and thrive. Learn more about GEESI Development and Humanitarian Initiative's impact on reframe.network

In the newest issue of Reframe Voices, Yvonne Endam of Endam Home of Hope challenges us to see beyond the statistics of displacement and recognise the 44 million individuals across Africa as builders of their own destiny. She argues that refugees are not passive survivors, but innovators and teachers capable of reconstructing entire communities when given the platform to lead. Yvonne points out that advocacy must move away from patronising "voice of the voiceless" narratives and instead act as a strategic amplifier for the strong voices that already exist. With global funding at an all-time low, the shift from temporary assistance to long-term rights and refugee agency is more urgent than ever. It is time to move from sympathy to true solidarity and ensure the displaced are at the head of the tables where decisions are made. Reframe Voices is a monthly journal amplifying refugee-led advocacy and lived experiences, challenging conventional humanitarian narratives. Read the full feature by Yvonne Endam and more articles from Reframe Voices here: tinyurl.com/3et2wsdk

Young leaders from around the world have convened at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City under the theme “Innovate, Unite, and Transform: Youth Shaping the Road to 2030.” @RCCA_Youth is proud to be represented by its Co-founder, Adelaide Nifasha, bringing the voices and solutions of displaced communities to the global stage. Adelaide will be presenting at the side event “Link, Learn, Localise: Working with and for Young People to Advace Self-reliant in Force Displacement contexts. @RCCA_Youth continues to lead community-led climate adaptation and resilience, ensuring refugee youth are empowered as leaders driving sustainable, locally led solutions. #ECOSOCYouth #ClimateAdaptation #RefugeeVoices #YouthLeadership #GlobalGoals

📣 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗽: 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 1. YIDA Youth Initiative - Youth Initiative for Development in Africa- In Kyaka II settlement, 51 refugee and host community youth completed theory training in mushroom production. With Mastercard Foundation and Hodari Foundation support, they now begin 3 weeks of practical training to build livelihoods, food security, and resilience. 2. HRRDS — In the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan, HRRDS conducted a priority needs assessment and beneficiary registration with Global Whole Being Fund support. Displaced families facing famine and conflict will soon receive targeted aid. 3. Men and Women Working Together — Weekly cultural and recreational activities for 150 children foster inclusion, confidence, and healing. Games, dances, competitions, and peace‑themed skits help rebuild social connections across age‑based groups. 4. Digital Innovators League Africa — Rural youth with talent but no digital access face exclusion from global opportunities. The League is working to bridge this gap, advocating for training and tools so young people can learn, compete, and thrive. 5. AMOA DRC — In Uvira, eastern DR Congo, AMOA DRC is caring for 53 children affected by war but lacks resources for meals. A call for solidarity: even small donations can bring food, hope, and smiles to children in need. Explore the full range of organisations on Reframe and see how they are transforming their communities at reframe.network

🔔We are officially hosting our inaugural session TODAY and we love you to join us at 3:00 PM EAT. Register: tinyurl.com/5xvdpew4 See you there!