BRIDGE Project (2022–2027)
YIDO is currently partnering with War Child Canada, with funding from the Mastercard Foundation, to implement a five-year initiative known as the BRIDGE Project (2022–2027).
The project focuses on supporting refugee and host community youth in Uganda by creating pathways from secondary education and skills development to employment opportunities.
Implementation is taking place in Kamwenge District, specifically in:
Rwamwanja Secondary School
Ntenungi Secondary School
Bwiizi Secondary School
YIDO’s core role in the BRIDGE Project is to drive awareness and community sensitization, ensuring that young people within both refugee settlements and host communities understand and benefit from the available educational and skills development opportunities.
Key Achievements and Core Activities
YIDO has registered significant progress under the BRIDGE Project through the following six core areas:
Establishment and Orientation of Community Structures
Formation and training of Community Education Committees (CECs) and Youth Education Committees (YECs).
Community Enrollment and Advocacy Campaigns
Promoting school enrollment, with a strong emphasis on girls’ education, through community dialogues and engagement with local leaders.
Mother-to-Mother Support Initiatives
Facilitating peer support groups that advocate for and promote girl child education.
Bi-Annual Coordination Meetings
Bringing together key stakeholders including:
Community Education Committees (CECs)
School Management Committees
District Education Offices (DEOs)
Office of the Prime Minister (OPM)
UNHCR and other education partners
STEM and Entrepreneurship Development
Training school-based clubs to enhance work readiness, transferable skills, and entrepreneurship, including linkages to BTVET programs.
Policy and Advocacy Engagement
Supporting national and local education initiatives that promote inclusive, gender-transformative education systems.
Community Education Committees (CECs)
Overview
Community Education Committees (CECs) are volunteer groups drawn from both refugee and host communities. They play a vital role in overseeing education programs and ensuring that learners’ rights and needs are addressed.
They work closely with school management structures such as Boards of Governors (BOG) and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA).
Composition
CECs are inclusive and representative, typically comprising:
School administrators, teachers, and staff
Parents and caregivers
Children and youth representatives
Civil society and NGO representatives
Religious and traditional leaders
Health workers
Political and opinion leaders
Members from diverse nationalities, including refugees and host communities
Inclusivity is key, ensuring representation of:
Both genders
Persons with disabilities (PWDs)
Vulnerable and marginalized groups
Structure
Each CEC consists of 9 members, with gender balance:
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Secretary (Centre Manager)
Committee Members (6–8 representatives from different zones/blocks)
Qualities of a CEC Member
Members are expected to demonstrate:
Commitment to volunteerism
Integrity and good character
Strong community reputation
Role model behavior
Active involvement in education (e.g., parent/guardian)
Roles and Responsibilities
CECs are responsible for:
Holding regular meetings and maintaining records
Mobilizing community resources (financial and in-kind)
Promoting inclusive, culturally sensitive education approaches
Strengthening links between communities and education authorities
Ensuring accountability in education service delivery
Monitoring the quality of teaching and learning
Mother-to-Mother Support Groups
These groups provide a platform for mothers of both in-school and out-of-school girls to:
Share parenting experiences and challenges
Discuss their daughters’ education and future aspirations
Identify and address barriers to girls’ education
Over time, the groups evolve to:
Offer mentorship to younger mothers
Support income-generating initiatives linked to schools
Serve as positive role models within the community
Community outreach—including radio programs and local events—supports enrollment efforts.
Importantly, the initiative also engages men and boys as champions of girls’ education, ensuring a balanced, inclusive approach while promoting women’s leadership.
Youth Education Committees (YECs)
Youth Education Committees empower young people to actively participate in education advocacy, peer mobilization, and leadership within their communities.
STEM and Entrepreneurship Clubs
School-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and entrepreneurship clubs equip students with:
Practical, real-world skills
Innovation and problem-solving abilities
Entrepreneurial mindsets
These clubs play a critical role in preparing youth for employment, self-reliance, and future opportunities.