Umoja Refugee Creative

Umoja Refugee Creative The Umoja Refugee Group is a registered non-profit refugee-led organization based in Nairobi, Kenya. Our vision is to "Build a self-empowered community."

A Refugee-Led Organization of multinational refugees living in Nairobi created by community members with purpose to uplift people's lives by means of creative livelihood interventions, psychosocial support and policy influence to better lives of refugees. It was founded by refugees in 2016 and officially registered as a community-based organization in 2020. The group is dedicated to improving the

lives of less privileged refugee families and vulnerable local hosts in urban settings, particularly in Nairobi. Umoja Refugee Group focuses on empowering refugee women, children, the elderly, and differently-abled individuals through self-reliance-based activities and mental health care and education programs. We also engage in advocacy to promote equal access to opportunities and services for marginalized refugees. They are actively involved in community welfare initiatives and aim to contribute to the socioeconomic development of both refugees and the host community by addressing various challenges and barriers refugees face.

AidEx Nairobi 2026 at Safari Park Hotel, convening over 500 humanitarian and development leaders from across East Africa...
03/06/2026

AidEx Nairobi 2026 at Safari Park Hotel, convening over 500 humanitarian and development leaders from across East Africa and beyond. This year’s gathering comes at a pivotal moment as the sector shifts from aid dependency toward economic inclusion and self‑reliance. Central to the discussions are anticipatory action frameworks, financing for locally led solutions, and the critical role of Refugee‑Led Organizations (RLOs) in driving community ownership and resilience. The focus is clear: building sustainable livelihoods in fragile and crisis‑affected settings before shocks deepen.

Umoja Refugee Creatives (URC) is honored to be represented at this high‑profile platform, contributing to conversations that bridge the gap between participation, funding, and implementation. With emphasis on digital infrastructure, mobile money, and cash‑based assistance, URC joins UN agencies, donors, NGOs, CBOs, and private sector pioneers in exploring practical pathways that empower displaced populations and host communities. Our presence underscores the importance of refugee‑led initiatives in shaping inclusive solutions, amplifying community voices, and ensuring that displaced persons are not just consulted but are genuine decision‑makers in their futures.

Anticipatory action is emerging as a transformative pathway to resilience. By investing early in livelihood protection and economic inclusion, humanitarian and development actors can prevent vulnerable households from losing productive assets during crises. This proactive approach enables displaced populations and host communities to strengthen self‑reliance, safeguard dignity, and build sustainable livelihoods before shocks escalate into deeper emergencies.

Financing and investment in locally led solutions remain at the heart of AidEx Nairobi’s agenda. Flexible donor mechanisms and innovative financing models are essential to scale grassroots interventions sustainably. RLOs like URC demonstrate how community‑driven initiatives can unlock entrepreneurship, foster financial inclusion, and create long‑term socioeconomic opportunities that move beyond short‑term aid dependency.

AidEx Nairobi is more than an exhibition it is a movement redefining humanitarian and development assistance. Together, thought leaders and practitioners are charting visionary models that strengthen resilience, unlock inclusive financing, and create enabling environments for decent work, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion. East Africa is leading the way in shaping transformative responses, and URC is proud to stand at the forefront of this journey championing anticipatory action as a pathway to economic inclusion, self‑reliance, and sustainable livelihoods for all.

On this Madaraka Day, we celebrate the spirit of unity and resilience that defines our nation. From Umoja Refugee Creati...
01/06/2026

On this Madaraka Day, we celebrate the spirit of unity and resilience that defines our nation. From Umoja Refugee Creatives Fraternity, we honor the strength that comes when communities stand together diverse yet united, challenged yet unbroken. May the shared courage continue to build a Kenya where every voice matters and every dream thrives.HAPPY MADARAKA DAY.

Yesterday at Umoja Refugee Creatives, we stood with RAWI‑EA partners to advance the collective fight for refugee access ...
29/05/2026

Yesterday at Umoja Refugee Creatives, we stood with RAWI‑EA partners to advance the collective fight for refugee access to dignified work and inclusion. This is more than a meeting it is a movement. Together, we are dismantling systemic barriers like the Class M permit, challenging the harmful narrative that refugees compete with host communities, and amplifying the voices of refugee professionals whose skills and contributions strengthen Kenya’s economy.

Our coalition’s priorities are clear: legal and policy reform, visibility and narrative change, and coalition sustainability. Through strategic litigation, storytelling platforms, employer sensitization forums, and stronger partnerships, we are building a future where refugees are recognized not as outsiders, but as vital contributors to growth, innovation, and resilience.

At URC, we reaffirmed that inclusion is not charity it is justice. Refugees are entrepreneurs, educators, and professionals whose work generates jobs, tax revenue, and shared prosperity. By mobilizing refugee voices, engaging government allies, and strengthening our coalition, we are driving systemic change that benefits all.

RAWI‑EA’s work continues, and so does our call: let us stand together to ensure that every refugee has the right to decent work, dignity, and opportunity.

On the International Day of Families, Umoja Refugee Creatives brought together Burundian, Congolese, Sudanese,Rwandese a...
15/05/2026

On the International Day of Families, Umoja Refugee Creatives brought together Burundian, Congolese, Sudanese,Rwandese and S. Sudanese refugees and host community members for a vital training on Article 14 of the Kenyan Constitution. The session highlighted the landmark Haki na Sheria Initiative v Attorney General decision and the Zambia citizenship case, both underscoring the right to nationality, legal identity, and protection for children at risk of statelessness.
In partnership with The Legal Caravan the training focal point was on empowering the most vulnerable groups by educating them on their rights and strengthened by Kituo cha Sheria’s advocacy, the training blended litigation, awareness, and community dialogue. Together, we reinforced the importance of legal identity as the foundation of dignity, belonging, and opportunity for refugee families.
This event was more than a training,it was a step toward inclusive justice and empowered communities. Families left with knowledge, solidarity, and renewed hope that no child or parent should face statelessness.
UMOJA NI NGUVU.

“Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers everywhere —your love, resilience, and unwavering strength inspire the world. From nu...
11/05/2026

“Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers everywhere —your love, resilience, and unwavering strength inspire the world. From nurturing families to building communities, we celebrate the courage and hope you carry each day. We honor you with gratitude and admiration.”

Tailoring is more than stitching fabric,it is stitching futures. In this vibrant workshop at UMOJA REFUGEE CREATIVES, yo...
05/05/2026

Tailoring is more than stitching fabric,it is stitching futures. In this vibrant workshop at UMOJA REFUGEE CREATIVES, young people, women, and men alike discover the power of skill, creativity, and self‑reliance. From the first cut of cloth to the final seam, tailoring opens doors to dignity, livelihood, and confidence, proving that learning has no age or gender boundaries.
The commitment of partners and supporters makes it possible for every learner both the young or old, male or female-to turn creativity into empowerment. By sustaining this program, donors and stakeholders ensure that tailoring continues to transform lives, offering both opportunity and hope. Together, we can invest in tailoring as a force for change, building stronger communities and brighter futures for the refugees and the host commnity.Stitching creativity in seams bringing hope and empowerment.

Happy labour day...
01/05/2026

Happy labour day...

At Umoja Refugee Creatives, every stitch, every story, every word learned is a step toward dignity and opportunity. Our ...
30/04/2026

At Umoja Refugee Creatives, every stitch, every story, every word learned is a step toward dignity and opportunity. Our programs in tailoring, cinematography, daycare, and English are opening doors for refugee families to thrive. Registration for the second cohort is now open—don’t miss the chance to be part of this journey.

We welcome the interest of institutions, partners, and supporters who believe in inclusive skills development. By standing alongside refugee communities, you help nurture creativity, resilience, and futures full of promise.Let us all unite in restoring dignity amongst the refugees by supporting the handy skills provided for self reliant future of all.We call upon the youths to registering to the following programs at URC.

The ongoing IGAD conference in Djibouti marks a pivotal moment in advancing inclusive and market‑relevant skills develop...
29/04/2026

The ongoing IGAD conference in Djibouti marks a pivotal moment in advancing inclusive and market‑relevant skills development across the region. By convening Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS), TVET institutions, industry representatives, government authorities, and refugee and humanitarian agencies. The gathering underscores the importance of multi‑stakeholder collaboration in shaping education and training systems that respond directly to labor market needs. This dialogue is not only about policy—it is about building pathways to opportunity for both host and refugee communities.

Central to the discussions is the assessment of current engagement mechanisms and collaboration practices. Delegates are identifying challenges, capacity gaps, and opportunities that hinder effective linkage between TVET programs and employment prospects. The conference also provides a platform to explore innovative models for public–private and humanitarian–development partnerships, ensuring that vocational training is both inclusive and responsive to the realities of regional economies.

Umoja Refugee Creatives is honored to be represented at this important gathering, bringing forward the voices and experiences of refugee youth and communities. Through its work in artistic, cultural, and livelihood programs, URC highlights the critical role of inclusive vocational training in fostering resilience, dignity, and self‑reliance. Its participation reinforces the need to ensure that refugee perspectives remain central to regional skills development strategies.

The development of a joint action plan and partnership framework is a cornerstone of this engagement. By enhancing coordination among stakeholders, IGAD and its partners are laying the foundation for stronger, more resilient TVET systems. This framework will serve as a roadmap for aligning training with labor market demands, while promoting equitable access to vocational opportunities for marginalized groups, including refugees and vulnerable youth.

We call upon governments, development partners, donors, and private sector actors to invest in this vision. As emphasized by URC's Executive Director Jonas N.: "Sustained support is vital to transform TVET institutions into engines of empowerment and economic growth. By joining forces, stakeholders can ensure that skills development becomes a driver of resilience, inclusion, and prosperity across the IGAD region. Together, let us commit to building a future where every learner—regardless of background—has the tools to thrive."

Address

Nairobi

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00
Thursday 09:00 - 16:00
Friday 09:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+254781376600

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