ILO PROSPECTS

Refugees bring valuable skills—but many still face barriers to decent work. These challenges were discussed at the PROSPECTS Africa Forum, held from 28 to 30 July 2026 in Kenya. The Forum brought together governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, development partners and other stakeholders to advance tripartite dialogue and identify practical reforms that can improve access to decent work for displaced people and host communities. Through the PROSPECTS partnership, the ILO continues to support inclusive labour markets that enable refugees to rebuild their lives, achieve self-reliance and contribute meaningfully to local economies. The Ministry of Labour and Skills Development in Kenya appreciated the contribution of the PROSPECTS partnership and reaffirmed its commitment to working with the ILO to expand access to decent work for refugees and host communities. Read the coverage by The Star: https://lnkd.in/d65en2rb Caroline Njuki Lilyanne Ndinda, MBA Angela Wachira Zelalem Alemenew Desta Stephen OPIO Evans Lwanga Amir Obeid #ILOProspects #PROSPECTSAfricaForum #DecentWork #Refugees #ForcedDisplacement #SocialDialogue #InclusiveLabourMarkets

From fish farmers to fishpond constructors. 🐟🌿 In Isingiro District, Uganda, the 80 members of the Ruhimbo-Kiteredde Fish Farming Group are showing how employment-intensive nature-based solutions can turn short-term work into lasting livelihoods. Using local tools, the group constructed fishponds, earned an immediate income and gained practical skills. They have since built ten additional ponds and secured contracts to construct ponds for other communities. “We are no longer just fish farmers – we are also fishpond constructors.” By combining decent work, skills development and wetland conservation, the initiative is creating green jobs, strengthening community cooperation and supporting a sustainable aquaculture enterprise. Implemented by the International Labour Organization through ILO PROSPECTS, in collaboration with Isingiro District Local Government and with support from the Government of the Netherlands. 🔗 Read the full story:https://lnkd.in/e3SCKV93 Evans Lwanga Phillo Aryatwijuka International Labour Organization ILO Africa Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda ILO PROSPECTS Khamati Mugalla #ILOPROSPECTS #Uganda #GreenJobs #DecentWork #NatureBasedSolutions #Aquaculture #SkillsDevelopment #ClimateResilience #HostCommunities

Exploring Job Search Clubs to strengthen youth employment services in Ethiopia 🇪🇹 Today, the ILO hosted an online information session on the Job Search Club (JSC) methodology, bringing together representatives from government ministries, TVET institutions, public employment services, youth-led organizations, innovation centres and development partners to learn about and discuss the approach. Participants explored how Job Search Clubs support jobseekers through structured job-search guidance, peer learning and coaching, helping them build confidence, strengthen employability and connect to labour market opportunities. The session also showcased the ILO's experience in implementing JSCs in different countries and facilitated discussions on how the methodology could be adapted and implemented in Ethiopia including in forced displacement context. The engagement and exchange of ideas highlighted a shared commitment to strengthening employment services and supporting young people in their transition to decent work. Through partnership and innovation, we can strengthen employment services and better support young women and men in their transition to decent work. Know more about ILO PROSPECTS' learnings on implementing Job Search Clubs: https://lnkd.in/d9VuDvnn Khumbula Ndaba I ILO Horn of Africa I christine pirenne I Stephen OPIO I Tiest Sondaal I RRSEthiopia Official I Marta Tsehay S. I Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ethiopia I Laura Schmid I Majda Grine I Ministry of Labor and Skill- FDRE I የሴቶችና ማህበራዊ ጉዳይ ሚኒስቴር Ministry of Women and Social Affairs I Edukans Ethiopia I SAFE LIGHT INITIATIVE I Live for Generation Organization (L4G) I Somali Region Innovation and Technology Bureau I Ethiopian Center for Development

🇳🇱 Last week, a delegation from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands visited the ILO Multipurpose Community Centre in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement to gain a first-hand understanding of PROSPECTS interventions supporting refugees and host communities. 🏢 The visit began with a guided tour led by i-SCORE, the refugee-led organization managing the centre. 💼 ILO implementing partners AVSI Uganda and RICE West Nile then introduced the delegation to livelihoods groups, highlighting how participants are building skills, strengthening enterprises and improving their economic opportunities. 👥 The visit provided an important opportunity for the Netherlands Embassy’s Head of Cooperation and Migration Policy Officer to engage directly with beneficiaries and partners and see how coordinated interventions are advancing protection, inclusion and decent work in Rhino Camp. 🙏 We thank the Government of the Netherlands for its continued partnership and commitment to improving the lives and livelihoods of forcibly displaced people and host communities. Evans Lwanga Melissa Kyeyune Phillo Aryatwijuka Bethelhem Tesfaye Kassa Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda AVSI Foundation RICE West Nile Bouwe-Jan Smeding Pheona Namuyaba Namirembe Molly #PROSPECTSPartnership #DecentWork #RefugeeLivelihoods #EconomicInclusion #Uganda #RhinoCamp #ILO

Under the #PROSPECTSPartnership, the ILO Arab States - منظمة العمل الدولية، المكتب الاقليمي للدول العربية, UNICEF Lebanon, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and their partners gathered for a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop to advance the design of plans that will help expand access to finance for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Lebanon, including Lebanese entrepreneurs and Syrian refugees.   Discussions focused on beneficiary targeting criteria, strengthening referral mechanisms and partner coordination, shaping the financial product, and finalizing the methodology for upcoming focus group discussions. Consultations are key to building a shared approach that will guide the fieldwork and product design process, ensuring that support is responsive to the needs of entrepreneurs while promoting sustainable livelihoods and economic inclusion. Joint efforts to create a coordinated and evidence-based financing mechanism are set to create greater opportunities for vulnerable communities and support inclusive economic recovery in Lebanon.   The PROSPECTS Partnership – funded by the Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken and implemented by IFC, ILO, UNHCR, UNICEF, and the World Bank – is bringing a joint humanitarian-development approach to Lebanon. By strengthening systems and aligning with national actors, the partnership seeks to improve prospects for both refugees and host communities. Netherlands Embassy in Lebanon Maha kattaa Gizem Karslı Ghassan Aridi Al Majmoua في إطار برنامج آفاق، نظّمت منظمة العمل الدولية، بالتعاون مع وكالات الأمم المتحدة الشقيقة وشركائها، ورشة تشاورية في بيروت جمعت مختلف الجهات المعنية، بهدف المضي قدماً في إعداد خطط من شأنها توسيع فرص حصول روّاد الأعمال وأصحاب المشاريع الصغيرة في لبنان على التمويل، بما يشمل اللبنانيين واللاجئين السوريين. وشكّلت الورشة منصة للنقاش حول مجموعة من المحاور الأساسية، أبرزها تحديد معايير استهداف المستفيدين، وتعزيز آليات الإحالة والتنسيق بين الشركاء، ووضع التصور الأولي للمنتج المالي، إلى جانب استكمال المنهجية الخاصة بمجموعات النقاش المزمع تنفيذها خلال المرحلة المقبلة. وأكد المشاركون أن هذه المشاورات تمثل خطوة محورية نحو بلورة رؤية مشتركة تستند إلى احتياجات روّاد الأعمال الفعلية، بما يضمن تصميم أدوات دعم أكثر فعالية واستجابة، ويسهم في تعزيز سبل العيش المستدامة ودعم الإدماج الاقتصادي. ومن خلال هذا التعاون المشترك، تسعى الشراكة إلى تطوير آلية تمويل منسقة تستند إلى الأدلة والاحتياجات الواقعية، بما يفتح آفاقاً أوسع أمام الفئات الأكثر هشاشة، ويدعم مسار التعافي الاقتصادي الشامل في لبنان. وتندرج هذه الجهود في إطار مشروع آفاق، المموّلة من حكومة مملكة هولندا، والتي تنفّذها كل من منظمة العمل الدولية، ومؤسسة التمويل الدولية، ومفوضية الأمم المتحدة لشؤون اللاجئين، ومنظمة الأمم المتحدة للطفولة، ومجموعة البنك الدولي. وتعتمد الشراكة نهجاً متكاملاً يربط بين العمل الإنساني والتنمية في لبنان، من خلال تعزيز الأنظمة الوطنية وتوثيق التعاون مع الجهات الوطنية، بما يسهم في تحسين الفرص المتاحة لكل من اللاجئين والمجتمعات المضيفة.

Investing in healthcare is investing in people, productivity, and sustainable development. In this excerpt from his closing remarks, H.E. Peter Mollema, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Egypt, reflects on the importance of investing in healthcare- not only as a fundamental human right, but also as a driver of inclusive economic development and resilient societies. His remarks were delivered during the closing session of a four-day capacity-building programme implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with the Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA). The programme was delivered under the EU-funded Haya Karima in Egypt project and the PROSPECTS Partnership, funded by the Government of the Netherlands, supporting national efforts to strengthen inclusive social protection systems and expand access to essential services. ILO Africa International Labour Organization Cairo Office Amir Obeid Peter Mollema Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken Asmaa Samir Rezk

What happens when young people are empowered to turn challenges into opportunities? The i-UPSHIFT Summit in Kassala, Sudan 🇸🇩, brought together inspiring young innovators from refugee and host communities to showcase solutions addressing local needs and creating pathways to livelihoods and inclusion. 🎥 Watch the Summit highlights and hear comments from partners about the youth innovation programme. UNICEF Sudan – اليونيسف في السودان I UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency I ILO Africa I ILO Horn of Africa I Fanfan Rwanyindo I Khumbula Ndaba I Stephen OPIO I Geofrey Ochola I Veerne Koops I Wiesje Elfferich I Tiest Sondaal I Adam Abdalla I 249Startups

Deadline extended! The ILO is seeking a service provider to support the feasibility assessment and design of an integrated pilot on formalization and social health protection for agricultural workers in Lebanon. Your company must be a legally registered service company, consulting firm, or research institution. ⏰ New deadline: 16 August 2026, 22:59 GMT+2 🔗 Apply through UNGM Notice 307244: https://lnkd.in/evXX_nbN #ILO #Lebanon #SocialProtection #Formalization #AgriculturalWorkers #DecentWork #LabourMarketGovernance

⏰ Deadline Soon: 2 August 2026 | Call for External Collaborator The ILO is seeking an external collaborator to support the feasibility assessment and design of the impact evaluation of Lebanon’s National Disability Allowance. The assignment will assess possible methodological approaches to evaluate the NDA’s effectiveness in improving the social and economic well-being of persons with disabilities, including the adequacy of the benefit amount in relation to disability-related costs. 🔗 Apply through UNGM Notice 308675: https://lnkd.in/eDDnYNvz #ILO #Lebanon #DisabilityInclusion #SocialProtection #ImpactEvaluation #PROSPECTS #DecentWork

A proud moment for ILO PROSPECTS and our partners in Jordan. We are honoured by the recognition from Jordan’s Minister of Agriculture and Chair of the Cooperative Corporation Board, Saeb Khraisat, of ILO PROSPECTS’ contribution to strengthening the country’s cooperative sector. Through our close partnership with the Jordan Cooperative Corporation, we have supported major legal and institutional reforms, including the "National Cooperative Strategy" and the "2025 Cooperative Law", aligned with ILO Recommendation No. 193 and internationally recognised cooperative principles. The new law strengthens member representation and women’s participation in cooperative governance. It also establishes two important mechanisms: • The "Cooperative Development Fund", to coordinate financing for cooperatives • The "Cooperative Development Institute", to provide training, research and advisory services Under the second phase of PROSPECTS, our work continues through: • Developing implementing bylaws for the new law • Institutionalising the ILO’s "Think.Coop and Start.Coop" training tools • Supporting the "Cooperative Electronic Systems Portal", which will expand digital services and create a national database of cooperatives Together, these efforts are helping cooperatives become stronger drivers of decent work, local development and economic inclusion for refugees and host communities. Our sincere appreciation goes to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Jordan Cooperative Corporation and all partners whose leadership and commitment have made this progress possible. Read the news article 🔗 English: https://lnkd.in/eNi3WGdi 🔗 Arabic: https://lnkd.in/eNWVSPeT #ILO #PROSPECTS #Jordan #Cooperatives #DecentWork #SocialSolidarityEconomy #WomenInCooperatives #YouthEmployment samer Rawashdeh Dahlia Roque Elisa Oddone Simel Esim Maha kattaa