Vocational Training for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Host Communities in Greater Cairo (with Life Makers Egypt)
Refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable members of host communities in Greater Cairo face persistent barriers to decent work and stable income. These include limited access to market-relevant skills, language and learning barriers, restrictions on formal employment, and little access to the tools, networks and starting capital needed to earn a living. Women are especially affected, as household responsibilities and social constraints limit their access to training and income opportunities. Addressing these barriers is vital not only for the dignity and self-reliance of the people affected, but also for social cohesion and inclusive local economies.
The aim of the project is to support livelihoods and economic inclusion by delivering short, practical vocational training courses to refugees, asylum seekers and host community members in Greater Cairo. Implemented by INNODEV for Life Makers Egypt, the training is designed around real labour-market needs. It uses competency-based, hands-on methods and adapts content and delivery to the language, education levels and social context of the participants.
The expected change includes new technical and professional skills for up to 75 participants, aged 16 to 59, with at least 70% women. After training, participants are better prepared to find work, start small home-based businesses, or earn freelance income. Each course ends with measured learning outcomes, individual participant files and certificates of completion. The project also strengthens cooperation between civil society organizations and training providers working with refugee and host communities.
The project is delivered through a partnership between:
Life Makers Egypt Foundation (Egypt)
INNODEV Innovation for Investment and Development (Egypt), as training provider
By offering practical training, certification and follow-up, the project aims to:
Train up to 75 refugees, asylum seekers and host community members across three training groups of 20–25 participants.
Deliver 40-hour courses over 10 training days, with 60–70% hands-on practice.
Offer market-relevant specializations, such as small business management, e-commerce and digital marketing, graphic design, customer service, language skills, handicrafts and crochet, and other trades chosen with Life Makers.
Reach at least 70% women through gender-sensitive scheduling, support services and mixed-nationality group facilitation.
Adapt training materials with simplified language and visual support for participants from different refugee communities.
Measure progress through pre- and post-tests, attendance tracking and participant satisfaction surveys.
Provide certificates of completion to participants who meet the attendance and success requirements.
Total budget: EGP 337,500
Start Day: 19/08/2026 – End Day: 18/12/2026 (4 months)