Action on Poverty, a small charity has been awarded a grant for their work with young people in Uganda.

UK aid grant from the UK Government’s Department for International Development.

The new project which launches in October will help to support 800 young refugees and people from host communities to access employment in northern Uganda.

As Uganda has the highest rate of youth unemployment in Africa, with refugees especially affected as there is little access to skills training, the project will have a significant economic and social impact.

Action on Poverty, based in Cropthorne and their local partner VEDCO will work closely with young people and businesses over the next two years to develop the right kind of support for refugees, so they are able to generate their own livelihoods. This will not only give young people the skills to find employment but with psychosocial support as well, the project will also give them hope for a happier future.

Alex Daniels, Chief Executive at Action on Poverty said: “We are delighted with the funding from the Government’s UK Aid Direct Fund which will enable us to help give more people living on the edge of crisis a step up to self-reliance.”

Action on Poverty has helped over a million people escape poverty by creating opportunities for people to gain skills and livelihoods in Africa and South Asia.