Executive Summary

For more than 10 million refugees without a reliable source of income, the only way to feed their families is through food assistance. Food aid in East Africa has been cut by 40% in the past year, and further cuts are likely. We risk hunger, unrest, and deepening humanitarian crises without a scalable solution that facilitates sustainable self-reliance.

Delivering Resilient Enterprises and Market Systems - or DREAMS for Refugees - will layer two evidence-based models to achieve increased household income, savings, and assets; improved food security; and improved well-being for 150,000 women, children, and men. Graduation will provide the capital and skills to support refugees as they establish businesses. Market Systems Development will help build market access pathways to ensure those businesses can be successful. Through a rigorous evaluation, we will generate the evidence needed to fundamentally change how self-reliance is perceived and funded in the refugee space.