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New Initiative Brings Hope to Skilled Refugee Youth in Dzaleka Camp, Malawi

In a camp where survival often overshadows ambition, a new initiative is giving skilled refugee youth an opportunity at meaningful work and business establishment.

The Displaced and Refugee Youth Enabling Environment Mechanism (DREEM) Project, implemented by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, launched a pilot initiative called ArTERY (Accelerating Transition to Employment for Refugee Youth). The project is already gaining momentum through partnerships with There Is Hope and four other refugee-led organizations.

The pilot initiative, running for five months aims to support young refugees with job placement, mentorship, and business development as they transition from vocational training toward financial independence.

Home to over 56,000 displaced people, Dzaleka faces sky-high unemployment despite many residents holding technical and vocational trade skills, university or secondary school education. Many young refugees, who form 50% of the camps population, despite acquiring valuable skills through various programs, face significant challenges in securing formal employment or starting their businesses. These challenges include a lack of professional or small business networks, limited access to finance, and insufficient knowledge of local labor markets and business opportunities.

“By linking skilled youth to jobs and providing the tools needed for self-employment, we are not just addressing unemployment, we are building a foundation for long-term economic resilience and social cohesion,” said Anock Kapira, Deputy Director at There Is Hope.

The ArTERY project is focused on empowering Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) by building up their skills in key areas like business development, financial literacy, and mentorship. It works to design customized programs aimed at young refugees, particularly young women, offering practical support like job placement and access to microfinance. Beyond these services, the initiative also encourages collaboration with government bodies, the private sector, and academic institutions.

As part of its long-term strategy, ArTERY is also looking into launching a Refugee-Led Organization Network (RELON) to ensure continued advocacy and support.

ArTERY’s five-month pilot takes a three-part approach, matching youth with local employers open to hiring refugees and skilled Malawians, providing business kits for budding entrepreneurs and also linking participants with mentors in their trades.

Godfrey Mphande, WUSC Malawi Country Director, emphasized the project’s goals.

“WUSC will support the RLOs to strengthen their performance and delivery capacities so that their programs are strong enough to help refugee youths use their trained skills and knowledge to start businesses or access employment.”

Today, the first group of 18 participants, 11 of them women, have wrapped up orientation, ready to take on employment or launch their businesses. Many say they finally see a chance to put their skills to work.

The new ArTERY project aligns with a review of Malawi’s Refugee Act, possibly easing employment rules. Hilda Katema Kausiwa from the Department of Refugees called the project timing “providential.”

“This pilot could prove what’s possible when refugees are given a fair chance,” she said at the launch event.

TIH Programs teams are now in the implementation phase, finalizing partnerships with a dozen local businesses, purchasing startup kits to be distributed to participants preparing to launch small enterprises, and establishing a mentorship network made up of both refugee and local professionals.

DREEM is a partnership between World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the Mastercard Foundation that is focusing on building and embedding systems change and institutional leadership that will empower refugees and displaced youth to reach their ambitions