In partnership with
“We now grow enough food to feed our families and save money weekly. Our lives have changed!”
July 24, 2025 – WPDI, in partnership with UN Women and with financial support from the Government of Norway, has officially concluded its flagship LEAP II Project in Adjumani District, Uganda. The closure was marked by a meeting held on June 26, 2025, at the Adjumani District Local Government Council Hall, bringing together 65 attendees including high-level stakeholders, local leaders, and community beneficiaries.
Launched in 2024, the LEAP II Project concluded six months ahead of schedule having delivered measurable impact across Ayilo 1, Ayilo 2, and Nyumanzi refugee settlements. The initiative aimed to strengthen resilience and enhance livelihoods among refugees and host communities through inclusive development programming.
The closure meeting was attended by representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, Resident District Commissioner (RDC), LC5 Chairperson, Chief Administrative Officer, District Secretary for Production, subcounty leaders from Dzaipi and Pakele, the Refugee Welfare Council, and 12 project beneficiary groups, including Amesutakuru, Unity Peace, Peace Mediators, and Amanzora.
In heartfelt remarks, stakeholders commended WPDI for its deep-rooted engagement with the community. “WPDI has walked the talk. You have left a strong mark on our district, on our farmers, youth, and women entrepreneurs,” the LC5 Chairperson affirmed. Echoing the sentiment, the RDC emphasized the importance of WPDI’s collaborative model: “This project reflects the power of strategic partnerships in delivering not just aid, but transformation. WPDI has clearly demonstrated that it is not the size of the budget that determines the level of impact, but rather the strategy, dedication, and community engagement applied.”
Over its 18-month lifespan, the LEAP II Project achieved several milestones:
- 350+ refugees and host community members, 70% of them women, trained in climate-smart agriculture, business skills, and financial literacy.
- 35+ active Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) formed to enhance financial inclusion.
- 25 small businesses incubated in areas including crop production, event management, produce trading, goat rearing, and fish vending.
- Implementation of the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) methodology to empower women and youth.
- Strengthened social cohesion through joint refugee-host projects.
These tangible results were best expressed through the voices of beneficiaries. A representative from the Amesutakuru Group shared emotionally, “We now grow enough food to feed our families and save money weekly. Our lives have changed. Thank you, WPDI!”
Though LEAP II has officially ended, its legacy will continue. WPDI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining momentum through continued collaboration with local governments and generous support from the Swedish Postcode Foundation. District leaders also pledged to incorporate successful models from LEAP II into their ongoing development plans and programs.
“I encourage all partners and stakeholders to learn from this model: focus on grassroots empowerment, build with the people, and results will follow. This is a legacy worth adopting and replicating where possible,” noted one local leader.
As one final note from the Refugee Desk: “We pledge our continued collaboration and support for initiatives that put people at the center of development and transformation.”
The closure of LEAP II is not the end. It is a powerful new chapter for communities uplifted by its success.