Our Approach
Refugee Horizons is refugee-led. The people who design and deliver our programmes are from the communities we serve, and building their capacity is not a support function. It is a core programme commitment.
Capacity building covers three interconnected areas: staff and volunteer training, community-level certification, and organisational systems. Together they ensure that the quality of our programming improves over time, that community members gain recognised credentials, and that the organisation can account for every outcome to donors, partners and the communities we serve.
When a community member earns a childcare certification through Itetero, or a youth coach receives a recognised coaching qualification through Mahama: The House of Talents, that credential belongs to them. It opens doors beyond Refugee Horizons. Capacity building is how we ensure our work creates lasting value for individuals, not just for the organisation.
Each pillar reinforces the others. Strong staff enable community certification. Community certification generates the data that feeds MEAL systems. MEAL systems improve staff practice.
Phased recruitment and structured training for all staff and volunteers, including mandatory safeguarding, child protection, MEAL systems and programme-specific technical skills. All staff complete induction before working directly with children or families.
Recognised certification for community members training as early childhood educators, sport coaches and life-skills facilitators. Improving programme quality and giving participants a credential that opens doors to employment beyond Refugee Horizons, in Rwanda and internationally.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems: baseline data collection, regular outcome tracking, mid-term and end-line evaluation, and accessible feedback mechanisms for children, youth and families. The foundation of transparent, evidence-based programming.
In Practice
Capacity building is embedded in every programme area, not delivered separately. An Itetero caregiver who completes her early childhood education certification is simultaneously a programme delivery asset and a beneficiary of the capacity building investment. A youth coach at Mahama who earns a coaching qualification is both a programme facilitator and a young person whose career prospects have improved.
Over the 2026 to 2031 strategic period, Refugee Horizons will invest in building the systems, skills and credentials that allow the organisation to grow with quality, and that leave lasting value in the community regardless of what happens to the organisation itself.
View All ProgrammesCapacity Building Covers
Mandatory safeguarding and child protection training
Required before any direct work with children or families
Early childhood education certification
For Itetero Daycare caregivers, nationally recognised
Sport coaching qualification
For Mahama: The House of Talents facilitators
Life-skills facilitation training
For Youth Leadership programme facilitators
Business development and financial literacy training
For Livelihoods programme staff
MEAL system design and data collection
Baseline, mid-term and end-line evaluation cycles
Organisational governance and financial management
Board and senior staff, RGB compliance and donor standards
Capacity building underpins all six programme areas, from Itetero Daycare to community protection.
All ProgrammesEvery donation helps us build the skills and systems that make our programmes work and last.
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