Call for Applications: Refugee-Led Organizations: Increasing Access to Higher Education for Refugee and Displaced young people in Nairobi and other ur

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is expanding its "University Now" initiative under the DREEM 2030 project, funded in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. This initiative aims to establish a sustainable, refugee-led recruitment pathway connecting refugee and displaced youth (RDP) to higher education opportunities.

WUSC is inviting eligible urban-based Refugee-Led Organisations (RLOs) in Kenya (operating in areas such as Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, and Mombasa) to submit proposals and join the existing cohort of Kakuma- and Dadaab-based RLOs.

Key Project Details

Target Audience: RDP youth aged 18 to 35 (with specific targets of 70% young women and at least 10% persons with disabilities).

Duration: Minimum 2-year engagement, starting September 2026.

Overall Goal: Support 2,000 RDP youth across target geographies to access higher education by 2030 through peer advising and community hubs.

Core Objectives & Scope of Work

Outreach & Information Dissemination: Design targeted, context-relevant campaigns in urban centers and informal settlements to share scholarship opportunities.

Application Support & Mentorship: Establish physical application hubs (with internet/laptop access) and recruit, train, and supervise 5 RDP peer-to-peer advisors per RLO.

Consortium Building & Sustainability: Co-design a unified University Now consortium governance framework, charter, and a market-stable Go-to-Market funding strategy for long-term viability beyond WUSC funding. Capacity Strengthening: Participate in WUSC-led technical assistance (finance, HR, M&E, safeguarding) and establish direct links with Mastercard Foundation partner universities.

How to apply

Eligibility & Qualification Criteria

To qualify, applicant organisations must meet the following:

RLO Definition: Must meet Mastercard Foundation's criteria either at least 2 RDPs in senior management (CEO, CFO, COO) OR a Board with at least 50% RDP representation.

Location & Registration: Legally registered in Kenya, operating for at least the last 3 years, with an active urban presence.

Physical Infrastructure: Must possess a safe, accessible physical space equipped with laptops and internet access for applicants.

Financial & Grant Track Record: Demonstrated experience managing donor-funded projects for at least 1 year with a budget of USD $2,000+.

Governance & Compliance: Sound commitment to safeguarding, "Do No Harm" principles, anti-discrimination policies, and monthly financial/narrative reporting.

Women-, youth-, and disability-led RLOs are strongly encouraged to apply. Key Deliverables 24-month work plan & M&E framework. Monthly progress and financial compliance reports, plus quarterly impact briefs. Recruitment and supervision of 5 trained Peer Advisors. Co-creation of the Consortium Transition & Sustainability Charter (service blueprint, governance framework, and Go-to-Market strategy). Read the full Terms of Reference and submit your application here