Representing Creative Industries at the Differentiated Assistance and Livelihoods Programming for Refugees at the Kakuma Camp
We believe that the creative industries is a powerful driver of sustainable livelihoods—one that should be accessible to all, including displaced and refugee communities.
As part of our commitment to fostering inclusive economic opportunities, HEVA Fund participated in the Differentiated Assistance and Livelihoods Programming for Refugees convened by UNHCR and the Joint Programming Working Group at Kakuma Camp and Machakos.
A New Approach to Refugee Livelihoods
UNHCR is shifting from traditional humanitarian aid to a Differentiated Assistance Model, which classifies refugees into four categories based on their level of vulnerability and self-sufficiency. This approach aims to transition individuals from extreme vulnerability (Category 1) to full self-reliance (Category 4) through skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
HEVA Fund is honored to be a UNHCR partner in this effort, leveraging our expertise in creative enterprise development to support refugee communities in building sustainable livelihoods within the creative and cultural industries.
In the pictures: Participants of Livelihoods workshops including Samuel Binja Cimanuka from Kalobeyei Initiative for Better Life (KI4BLI), Huda from Blossoms Of Hope Initiative - Kakuma Camp, and Jesse Kangethe, HEVA Fund's Partnerships and Development Manager
Leading the Creative Economy Agenda
During the recent Livelihoods workshops in Machakos and Kakuma, HEVA Fund:
✔️ Led the Creative Industry subteam in shaping the joint program framework.
✔️ Developed the project concept, budget, and monitoring & evaluation indicators for creative sector initiatives.
✔️ Advocated for investment in skills development and access to work opportunities for refugee creatives.
By integrating the creative economy into humanitarian and development programming, we can unlock new pathways for dignified work, economic empowerment, and cultural resilience within refugee communities.
Our participation in this initiative reinforces our mission to expand access to creative entrepreneurship opportunities for all, ensuring that refugee creatives are not just recipients of aid, but active contributors to the economy.
