Understanding the Uganda Refugee Support, Empowerment and Transformation (ReSET) Project
Organizations focused on improving the lives of refugees and host communities in Uganda have a significant funding opportunity through the Uganda Refugee Support, Empowerment and Transformation (ReSET) Project. Launched by the British High Commission in Kampala, this initiative offers up to £20 million to experienced partners. The goal is to address immediate humanitarian needs while also building long-term resilience and self-reliance for refugees and the communities that host them. This program is a key part of Uganda’s well-regarded refugee policy framework.
About the Uganda ReSET Programme
The ReSET Programme is a partnership between the United Kingdom and the Ugandan government. It aims to shift Uganda’s approach to refugees from a purely humanitarian response to one that emphasizes resilience, empowerment, and self-sufficiency. Uganda is known for its progressive refugee policies, which grant refugees rights and opportunities often not found elsewhere. However, a growing number of refugees and limited resources present challenges that require new and sustainable solutions. The ReSET Programme seeks to help refugees become more independent while still meeting their essential humanitarian needs. The project’s funding will support activities from August 2026 through March 2029.
Funding Overview
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), through the British High Commission in Kampala, is providing the funding. The total available amount is up to £20 million, intended for use over approximately two and a half years. The program’s geographic focus is Uganda. Eligible applicants are Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that are registered with the Uganda NGO Bureau. The deadline for submitting concept notes is June 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM East Africa Time (EAT).
Objectives of the ReSET Programme
The ReSET Programme is designed to create lasting positive change by supporting both immediate humanitarian aid and long-term development. The initiative is structured around two main pillars, and organizations can choose to focus on one or both.
Pillar 1: Meeting Core Humanitarian Needs
This pillar focuses on providing critical humanitarian support to the most vulnerable refugees and affected host communities. Interventions can include improving access to food, reducing food insecurity, supporting nutrition programs, and addressing emergency food needs for new arrivals. It also covers protection services such as child protection, preventing and responding to gender-based violence, offering legal aid, and establishing community-based protection systems. Applicants can propose multisectoral humanitarian assistance that combines various services to meet urgent needs, with special attention to newly arrived refugees, vulnerable women and girls, people with disabilities, youth, and host communities impacted by humanitarian crises.
Pillar 2: Building Self-Reliance and Resilience
The second pillar aims to help refugees and host communities move beyond reliance on humanitarian aid. The goal is to enable economically vulnerable households to build sustainable livelihoods and become more resilient to future challenges. This can involve supporting income generation, entrepreneurship, vocational training, and financial inclusion. Livelihood strengthening might include agricultural development, improving market access, developing value chains, business incubation, and creating jobs. Resilience building activities could focus on improving household resilience, strengthening community coping mechanisms, enhancing disaster preparedness, and reducing vulnerability to economic and environmental shocks.
Cross-Cutting Themes and Priorities
All projects funded by the ReSET Programme must align with several important cross-cutting priorities. These include promoting gender equality and social inclusion, ensuring that interventions empower women and girls and increase opportunities for marginalized groups. Climate resilience is another key theme, requiring projects to use climate-smart approaches and help communities adapt to environmental changes. Strengthening social cohesion by fostering positive relationships between refugees and host communities is also important. The program encourages localization, meaning it supports local leadership and community-driven solutions. Finally, proposals must show alignment with the Government of Uganda’s policies, national refugee frameworks, and existing development strategies.
Who Can Apply?
The ReSET call for proposals is open to International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), National Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs). A critical requirement for all applicants is valid registration under the Uganda NGO Bureau. The British High Commission welcomes applications from individual organizations, partnerships, and consortia. Forming consortia can allow organizations to combine different expertise and increase the overall impact of their proposed projects.
How to Apply
Organizations interested in applying must submit an Expression of Interest in the form of a concept note. This concept note should not exceed seven pages and must include a clear implementation strategy, expected outcomes and impacts, and how the proposal aligns with the ReSET objectives. Budget considerations and information about the organization’s capacity should also be included. Applicants can propose activities that focus solely on Pillar 1 (Humanitarian Needs), solely on Pillar 2 (Self-Reliance and Resilience), or on both pillars. It is important for applicants to clearly state which pillar(s) their proposal addresses.
Why This Funding Opportunity Matters
Uganda hosts a large refugee population and is recognized for its inclusive policies. However, increasing humanitarian needs require new approaches that not only address immediate issues but also create sustainable paths to independence and resilience. The UK Government’s ReSET Programme invests significantly in improving humanitarian outcomes, strengthening economic opportunities, enhancing social cohesion, promoting gender equality, and building climate resilience. This initiative aims to support long-term development solutions for refugees and host communities, while also strengthening Uganda’s overall refugee response system.
Key Benefits of the ReSET Funding Opportunity
Organizations that are selected for this funding will gain access to a substantial pool of up to £20 million. The program offers a long-term implementation period of about 2.5 years, providing an opportunity to influence refugee policy and development outcomes. It supports both humanitarian and development programming, potentially increasing the visibility of participating organizations through their partnership with the UK Government. This funding also offers the chance for large-scale impact among refugee and host populations and encourages collaboration through consortium approaches.
Important Deadline
Organizations must submit their concept notes no later than 16 June 2026 at 11:59 PM East Africa Time (EAT). Submissions received after this deadline may not be considered. Interested organizations are advised to begin preparing their concept notes promptly to ensure they have enough time for development and submission before the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Uganda ReSET Project?
The ReSET Project is a funding initiative by the British High Commission in Kampala, offering up to £20 million to support refugees and host communities in Uganda by addressing humanitarian needs and building long-term resilience.
Who is eligible to apply for ReSET funding?
Eligible applicants are International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), National Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) that are registered with the Uganda NGO Bureau.
What are the main objectives of the ReSET Programme?
The program has two main pillars: meeting core humanitarian needs (like food and protection) and building self-reliance and resilience (through livelihoods and economic empowerment).
When is the deadline to submit a concept note for the ReSET Project?
The deadline for submitting concept notes is June 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM East Africa Time (EAT).
