In 2025, RECAN advanced its mission to empower refugee-led organizations (RLOs) in Uganda through in-depth research and targeted capacity-building initiatives. Established in 2023 as a non-profit network of refugee leaders and initiatives, RECAN focuses on leadership training, governance strengthening, research, and advocacy to promote resilience and self-reliance among refugee communities. The year’s core activities were concentrated in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, where RLOs play a critical role in addressing community needs despite facing significant challenges in resource mobilization, infrastructure, and legal compliance.

A key milestone was the Kyaka II RLOs Needs Assessment conducted in July 2025, which engaged 32 RLO founders to identify priority challenges and guide strategic interventions. The findings revealed severe financial constraints and regulatory barriers, which directly informed the design of the RECAN Governance Bootcamp held in September. This three-day training brought together 28 leaders from 27 RLOs, achieving a 96.5% attendance rate. The program focused on corporate governance, strategic leadership, and NGO compliance, and was closely aligned with participant expectations gathered prior to the training. Emphasis was placed on practical skills such as transparent governance systems, effective organizational structures, and building strategic partnerships.

Through these initiatives, RECAN strengthened the capacity of RLOs to operate sustainably, enhanced collaboration through stronger networks, and amplified the voices of refugee leaders in advocacy spaces. While challenges such as limited funding persisted, the programs promoted adaptive strategies including peer learning, collaboration, and policy engagement to help organizations navigate these constraints.

Looking ahead to 2026, RECAN aims to build on these achievements by expanding follow-up support to participating organizations, intensifying advocacy for more enabling legal frameworks, and scaling needs assessments to additional refugee settlements. These efforts are intended to drive broader impact and advance localization by placing refugee-led organizations at the center of development responses.

RECAN extends its sincere appreciation to its partners, donors, and stakeholders for their continued support and commitment to empowering refugee-led initiatives.