EU Boosts Education Support for Refugee and Host Community Children in Uganda with Additional €3 Million
The European Union has added €3 million to Uganda's RISE Project, bringing its total support to €8 million. The funding will recruit more teachers and provide financial assistance to refugee and host community families to improve children's access to education.
European Union Adds €3 Million to Support Education for Refugee and Host Community Children in Uganda
The additional funding will help recruit more teachers, reduce classroom overcrowding and provide financial assistance to vulnerable families across eight refugee-hosting districts.
The European Union (EU) has provided an additional €3 million to Uganda's Building Resilient Inclusive Systems for Locally Led Education and Protection (RISE) Project, bringing its total contribution to €8 million.
The additional funding, allocated under the EU Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) 2026, builds on an initial €5 million contribution made in 2025. It will support refugee and Ugandan children affected by displacement to access safe, inclusive and quality education.
The project has also been extended from February 2027 to April 2027 to allow implementing partners to consolidate progress and sustain its impact.
According to Liam Kelly, Head of EU Humanitarian Aid in Uganda, the funding reinforces the EU's commitment to supporting inclusive and equitable education for refugee children and host communities. He noted that the programme also prioritises enrolling forcibly displaced children in school within three months of arrival.
The project is implemented by a consortium led by Save the Children, working with Humanity & Inclusion, Education Local Expertise Centre Uganda (ELECU), Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID), Humanitarian Assistance and Development Services (HADS), Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC) and Katalemwa Cheshire Home for Rehabilitation Services.
The additional funding will address two major challenges affecting access to education: teacher shortages and financial difficulties faced by vulnerable households. It will support the recruitment and deployment of additional teachers to reduce overcrowded classrooms, alongside unconditional cash transfers to help families meet essential education-related expenses.
Save the Children Country Director Famari Barro said the additional support would help reach more children through education and protection services, particularly girls, children with disabilities, newly arrived refugees and those at risk of dropping out of school.
The project currently operates in Nakivale, Rwamwanja and Kyangwali, and will expand to Adjumani, Palabek, Rhino Camp, Kiryandongo and Palorinya refugee settlements.
Through these interventions, the RISE Project aims to improve school enrolment, attendance and retention, strengthen teaching capacity, support child protection and improve education systems at school, district and community levels.
Source: Save the Children International / RISE Consortium
This is a summary by SchoolGuide. Read the full story at Save the Children Uganda.
