Unidos Social Innovation Center

Award-winning refugee-led organization in Nakivale, Uganda. Recognized by UNHCR, Ockenden International, and Lush Spring Prize. Since 2018: trained 3,000+ farmers in food forest design, processed 800 kg food waste weekly into worm compost, taught 700 women to grow oyster mushrooms and make organic soap.

Unidos Social Innovation Center

Founded in 2018 by refugees in Nakivale after WFP food rations were cut. Started with 15 people learning to grow food using permaculture methods. Now employs 35 full- and part-time staff, all refugees.

We serve over 20,000 refugees from Congo, Burundi, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan across multiple programs: mushroom cultivation, worm composting, biochar production, women's health education, and arborloo toilet construction.

Located in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro District, South West Uganda.

Unidos team working together

Our Programs

Training programs in agriculture, health education, and income generation.

Education & Skills Training

English courses, business training, and leadership development programs that equip refugees with the skills they need to thrive.

Women's Empowerment

Organic soap making, mushroom cultivation, and tree planting programs that create sustainable income for women in the community.

Regenerative Agriculture

Natural farming training, soil regeneration through vermicomposting, food forest design, and waste recycling techniques.

Food Production

Established 6 food forests promoting biodiversity while equipping new arrivals with farming tools and knowledge.

Creating Lasting Change

3,000+ Refugees Trained

in regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming

700+ Women Empowered

through entrepreneurship and farming programs

5,300+ Community Members

impacted across 7+ nationalities

10,000+ Trees Planted

restoring biodiversity and food forests

Meet Mariam

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and now living in Nakivale refugee camp, Mariam is a passionate soap maker who serves as Program Manager at Unidos.

She leads women's projects, teaching other refugees how to make organic soap while providing business training and networking opportunities that transform lives.

"Through Unidos, I found not just a livelihood, but a purpose. Now I help other women discover their own potential."
Women's Circle Project participants

Get in Touch

Have questions or want to learn more about our work? We'd love to hear from you.

Location

Nakivale Refugee Settlement
Isingiro District, South West Uganda

Supported By

Award-Winning Impact

Honored by international organizations for refugee-led innovation and soil regeneration.

Ockenden International Prize

Ockenden International Prize

£25,000 Award - 2024

REGESOIL project selected from 174 global entries for improving soil productivity and nutrition.

USA for UNHCR Gene Dewey Award

Gene Dewey Refugee Award

USA for UNHCR - 2024

Paulinho Muzaliwa recognized for visionary leadership and dedication to displaced communities.

Lush Spring Prize

Lush Spring Prize

Permaculture Award - 2023

Recognized for regenerative agriculture work training 1,000+ ecological farmers.

UNHCR Refugee-led Innovation Fund

UNHCR Innovation Fund

1 of 15 from 1,500 - 2022

Selected for REGESOIL: 501 farmers, 40% soil improvement, 45% yield increases.

View All Awards & Recognition