EMPOWERING URBAN REFUGEES
Building resilience and dignity in Addis Ababa
EOTC-DICAC/RRAD Urban Refugees Coordination Office
Located in the heart of Lemi Kura Sub-City—where many urban refugees reside—the EOTC-DICAC/RRAD Urban Refugees Coordination Office serves as a vital satellite hub of our main office in Arat Kilo. This proximity allows us to respond swiftly and compassionately to the needs of urban refugees and vulnerable host community members in Addis Ababa.
Our Mission
To foster resilience, dignity, and self-reliance through inclusive, community-driven programs that address urgent humanitarian needs and support long-term development.
What We Do
Focus Areas:
Health
Access to primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services
GBV Prevention
Awareness, counseling, and survivor support
Education
Formal school enrollment, supplies, and special needs support
Community Enrollment
Linking refugees to local services and resources
Psychosocial Support
MHPSS integrated across all interventions
This program ensures that urban refugees receive essential services and are empowered to integrate into their host communities.
A two-year pilot initiative using the graduation approach to lift 500 households—60% out-of-camp refugees and 40% host community members—out of poverty.
Key Interventions:
Livelihood Support
Skills training and startup resources
Social Protection
Cash transfers and service access
Community Engagement
Strengthening social cohesion
Download the comprehensive Year I reports and documentation for the Mignote project:
💰 Budget & Planning
📊Budget Report & Plan
2024-2025 & 2025-2026
Our comprehensive MEL dashboard tracks key performance indicators and project outcomes across all initiatives. The visualizations below provide insights into project progress, beneficiary impact, and program effectiveness.
Download the detailed demographic data and analysis for the Mignote project:
📊Demographic Data Mignote
PowerPoint Presentation
From Struggle to Stability: Mebrahtom's Story
Mebrahtom, a 42-year-old Eritrean refugee, is a father of five children. Life for him and his family had always been a daily struggle. To make ends meet, he sold (ergendo) slide shoes on the streets—a small business that demanded long hours and constant movement. But the streets were not kind; the police often forced him to move, sometimes confiscating his goods. It was a life of uncertainty, and though he worked tirelessly, it never felt enough.
Days and nights were long, and Mebrahtom often wondered how he could provide a stable life for his children. "I wasn't living; I was just surviving," he recalls. His children, ranging from toddlers to teenagers, often went to bed hungry. Some missed school because he could not afford uniforms or supplies. "All I wished was for my children to have enough to eat, to go to school, and to have a safe place to sleep," Mebrahtom recalls. The weight of providing for five kids alone was overwhelming, and for a long time, he felt powerless.
Everything began to change when Mebrahtom joined the Mignote Project. For the first time, he began to receive monthly consumption support—a steady help that gave him hope. On receiving the first support money, he made a decision that would transform his life: he opened a chicken farm.
Starting was not easy. He had to learn how to care for the chickens, build a coop, and manage the small farm. But with determination and guidance from the project mentors, Mebrahtom persevered. Slowly, the chickens grew, and his farm began to produce eggs and poultry that he could sell in the local market.
"Before the project, I was not living; I was just surviving. Now, I am living, providing for my family, and seeing hope for the future. Thanks to the Mignote Project and the mentors who guided me, life is getting better every day."
Today, life is beginning to improve. The family no longer worries about where the next meal will come from, and Mebrahtom feels a sense of pride and stability he had never experienced before.
From Struggle to Flourishing Home: Weldemichael's Story
Weldemichael Layne, a devoted father and husband, lives with his loving wife and their four children in a modest home. Life had never been easy for him. Before joining the Mignote Project, Weldemichael worked tirelessly on a small chicken farm. Every day, he would sell his chickens at low prices, sacrificing profit to ensure his family had enough to eat and his children had a chance at a brighter future. He dreamed of stability and security, yet it seemed just out of reach.
Despite the challenges, Weldemichael never gave up. His hands were calloused from labor, and his heart heavy with worry, but he kept going—always thinking of his children and their smiles. Then came a turning point: joining the Mignote Project. For the first time, he began receiving monthly consumption support. It was a lifeline, a glimmer of hope that allowed him to take steps toward a better life.
With the first support he received, Weldemichael expanded his chicken farm. He bought more chickens, allowing him to sell more without undercutting his own livelihood. But he didn't stop there. Inspired to make the most of his resources, he began planting vegetables in his compound—pumpkins, carrots, corn, and more. The once-empty yard soon flourished with greenery, a testament to his dedication and resilience.
Today, Weldemichael's home is filled with the laughter of his children and the quiet satisfaction of a man who is steadily building a secure life for his family. The farm has grown, the garden thrives, and for the first time in years, Weldemichael can see a future where his family's needs are met, and their dreams are within reach.
A Journey from the Streets to Stability: A Mother's Story of Hope
At just 35 years old, Brkie Ebsa carries the weight of a life that has tested her strength in unimaginable ways. A widowed mother of two children—one of them a boy living with Down syndrome—she once lived a simple, quiet life in a rented house. Though modest, it was a home filled with love, and she worked tirelessly to provide for her family.
That fragile stability was shattered the day their home was demolished to make way for construction. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, she suddenly found herself and her children on the streets, left to piece life together from nothing. Desperate to protect her children, she found an empty garbage container. To many, it was a waste, but to her, it became a shelter, the only safe space she could think of to keep her children from harm while she figured out what to do next.
To survive, she began washing clothes and cleaning houses. Every small income she earned was used to feed her children and keep them moving forward. Yet, the hardship seemed endless, and hope was slipping away.
Her story took a turn when she was introduced to the Mignote Project. Through the program, she began receiving a monthly consumption support, along with a one-time cash assistance. For the first time in years, she felt relief. With this support, she was able to rent a small house—a place with a roof, walls, and most importantly, safety for her children.
"Life was unbearable, but today, with the support I received, I finally feel human again. I have a roof over my children's heads, and things are getting better every day."
Today, her life is filled with renewed hope. Her son with Down syndrome can live in dignity, and her younger child can grow up in a stable home. She is no longer forced to search for survival in garbage containers or worry about where her children will sleep. Her journey is a powerful reminder that resilience, when combined with the right support, can rebuild even the most broken of lives.
From Struggle to Success: Tizibit's Journey to Self-Reliance
Tizibit Gebeyehu, a 28-year-old internally displaced person (IDP) from the Oromia region, is a mother of four children. Currently, she resides in a rented private home at Debre Berhan city in Minilik sub city, where she faced the constant struggle to pay a monthly rent of ETB 1,500. Beyond housing costs, she struggled to meet basic needs, including educational materials for her children, which weighed heavily on her as she tried to make ends meet.
Despite her desire to work and support her family, Tizibit lacked the necessary startup capital and knowledge to engage in business activities. The weight of poverty seemed insurmountable, and she often felt trapped in a cycle of despair. Then came a turning point when JeCCDO, in collaboration with the Debre Birhan sub-city, identified low-income women like her, and the Mignote (Aspiration) project provided her with essential support.
Tizibit received comprehensive training on business skills and was provided with startup capital of ETB 15,000 through the partner kebele 03 CBO located in Minilik sub city. With this training and resources, she made a bold decision: she would start a small business selling "French Fries."
What began as a humble venture quickly turned into a meaningful livelihood improvement. She now earns an average of ETB 900 per day, with a net daily income of ETB 300. Demonstrating strong financial discipline, she saves ETB 30 weekly and contributes ETB 5 toward social community support. Additionally, she has established a personal savings habit, putting away ETB 100 daily to secure her family's future.
"The training and support from JeCCDO have not only empowered me to build a sustainable livelihood but have also fostered a sense of hope for a brighter future for my family. Now, I feel a sense of joy and fulfillment as my improved income enables me to provide for my family's basic needs and send my children to school."
Today, Tizibit's life has transformed. She no longer worries about paying rent or providing for her children's education. Her journey reflects the remarkable impact of the Mignote (Aspiration) project in changing lives and creating opportunities for those facing adversity.
From Daily Struggle to Thriving Business: Mitikie's Transformation
Mitikie Muluneh, a 27-year-old mother, lives in Ansas kebele under the Minilik sun city and faced significant challenges while trying to provide for her two children. As the head of her household, Mitikie relied on daily labor as her primary source of income. However, with a monthly rent of ETB 1,500 for her home, her earnings were insufficient to meet her family's basic needs, leaving her in a precarious situation.
JeCCDO, through the Mignote (Aspirations) project, partnered with Debre Birhan Sub City to identify low-income women in need of support. Mitikie was selected to participate in the basic business skill training organized by the Mignote project and attended the program accordingly.
After the training, Mitikie crafted a business plan tailored to her strengths and market demand and submitted it to Kebele 03 CBO or Mignote project partner CBOs. The CBOs further approved the business plan and provided the required support, including startup capital of ETB 15,000, which enabled her to establish her own small business. Additionally, she became part of a savings and credit association, promoting financial independence and encouraging her to save for future needs with the WEEG.
Motivated by her training and newfound resources, Mitikie began baking "Injera," a traditional Ethiopian staple, to sell to local shops. Her business quickly thrived, allowing her to earn a daily income of approximately ETB 3,450, with a net income of ETB 500 after expenses, and daily savings of ETB 20.00 and weekly savings of ETB 30.00 and ETB 2.00 for social contribution within the WEEG.
"The Mignote project gave me the tools and confidence to build a business that not only feeds my family but allows me to save and plan for the future. I am no longer just surviving—I am thriving."
Mitikie's success in her small business has significantly improved her family's livelihood. With a stable income, she can provide better nutrition, education, and overall support for her children. Additionally, her ability to save has empowered her to plan for unexpected expenses and enhance her family's quality of life.
From Daily Labor to Sustainable Poultry Business: Mulumebet's Success
Mulumebet Shiferaw is living in Minilik sub city as a household head. She lived with her one daughter and mother, and before receiving support, her income was earned from daily labor. Life was uncertain and unstable, with barely enough to meet her family's basic needs.
Everything changed when she received support from the Mignote Project. With an initial support of ETB 15,000, Mulumebet made a strategic decision to start poultry production. She began with 30 chickens, a modest start that would transform her family's future.
Today, her poultry business has flourished. She sells 20 eggs daily and earns ETB 400 from egg sales alone. Her monthly income has grown to ETB 6,000, a remarkable improvement from her previous daily labor earnings. With this stable income, she has been able to save ETB 32 per week, demonstrating financial discipline and planning for the future.
Beyond personal savings, Mulumebet has joined a savings group with other women in her community, creating a collective safety net and fostering social cohesion. This group savings initiative has enabled her to invest further in her business and support her family's needs.
"With the support from the Mignote Project, I have built a sustainable business that provides for my family. I can now educate my child and fulfill my family's needs with dignity."
Mulumebet's story is a testament to the power of targeted support and entrepreneurial spirit. Her poultry business not only provides income but has also given her family stability, hope, and a pathway out of poverty.
From Displacement to Empowerment: Tigist's Detergent Business Success
Tigist Urga is an internally displaced person (IDP) residing in the Tebassa sub-city, where she rents a house for ETB 2,500 each month. She supports four family members and was displaced from the Wollega area in the Oromia region. Before joining the Mignote Project, she was unemployed and relied solely on income from daily labor, which was insufficient to meet her family's needs.
Her life took a transformative turn when she was selected to participate in the Mignote Project. The project provided her with comprehensive business skills training and seed money of ETB 15,000, enabling her to start a new venture. With this support, Tigist began producing and selling various detergent products, including soap, Omo, and other cleaning items.
Her business grew quickly, and she received an additional ETB 8,000 from group savings, which allowed her to expand her product line and reach more customers. Today, Tigist earns ETB 8,000 per month from her detergent business—a significant improvement from her previous daily labor income.
With her improved income, Tigist has achieved financial stability for her family. She saves ETB 55 weekly and has been able to provide better nutrition, education, and care for her four family members. Her success demonstrates the power of combining business training with access to capital and community support.
"The Mignote Project gave me the skills and resources to build a business that supports my family. I am no longer displaced and struggling—I am building a stable, dignified life."
Tigist's journey from displacement and unemployment to a thriving business owner is an inspiring example of resilience and the transformative impact of targeted support and economic empowerment.
Core Components:
Livelihood Development
Small business training and capital
Social Support
Community networks and essential services
Graduation Approach
Pathways out of poverty
Services Offered:
Daycare
Safe care for children aged 6 months to 4 years
Parental Training
Child development and nutrition
Community Engagement
Building strong foundations
Livelihood Support
Economic empowerment for parents
Our Approach: Graduation Out of Poverty
We use a holistic model that combines:
Immediate Social Protection
Addressing urgent humanitarian needs
Livelihood Development
Building sustainable income opportunities
Social Empowerment
Strengthening community and personal agency
This ensures families not only escape poverty but thrive with dignity and independence.
Impact Highlights
Mignote Project: Households actively engaged in income-generating pathways
Tesfa Project: Beneficiaries report increased confidence and stronger community ties
ECD Project: Children enrolled in daycare, freeing parents to pursue education and work
Join Us in Making a Difference
Together, we can build a more inclusive and resilient Addis Ababa.
Donate
Help us reach more families in need
Volunteer
Make a direct impact in our programs
Spread the Word
Raise awareness and advocate for refugees
Visit Us
Urban Refugees Coordination Office – Lemi Kura
Main Office – Arat Kilo