The DREAMS Impact Brief

The DREAMS program is a transformative initiative that fosters self-reliance, resilience, and economic inclusion for refugees across Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, regions that host nearly 10% of the world’s refugees. Now in its fourth year, DREAMS aims to empower 150,000 refugees by promoting economic inclusion, building confidence, and offering sustainable solutions for a brighter future.

Since its inception in 2021, the program has combined Market Systems Development (MSD) with poverty graduation to enhance scalability and long-term self-reliance in refugee settings, where markets can often be under-developed. DREAMS targets the most marginalized populations, providing them with the capital and skills to launch small businesses while strengthening relationships with private sector actors to ensure market access, technical support, and long-term resources for these communities.

The learning product highlights key findings from a recent annual household survey conducted in the Bidibidi and Rhino Camp settlements, which serves as a foundation for assessing the program’s market systems performance. Since 2022, DREAMS has provided subsidies for agricultural inputs, such as sunflower, soybean, sesame, and poultry, helping participants to access essential resources. The results of the program demonstrate significant progress, with 45% of participants now purchasing inputs at full cost, reflecting a shift towards greater self-sufficiency.<

To date, DREAMS has reached over 12,000 households in these settlements, directly benefiting more than 72,000 individuals through poverty graduation and market systems engagement. This learning brief outlines the outcomes, challenges, and recommendations based on recent surveys and program assessments, providing insights that will guide future interventions and policies aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods for refugees and host communities alike.