Programme 01
Skills Development & Education
Practical skills, financial literacy and pathways to opportunity
Explore programme →Skilling • Livelihoods • Stronger communities
Understanding refugee challenges, strengths and needs drives our work.
We listen to refugee and host communities, learn from their existing capabilities and priorities, and use evidence to co-design practical programmes that strengthen skills, livelihoods, health and inclusion.
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Skills firstPractical learning and employability
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Economic opportunityEnterprise and stronger livelihoods
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Community-ledLocal voices and participation
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InclusiveRespectful support for underserved groups
Who we are
Our history
Thrive Community Empowerment Initiative was established as a community-based organisation in 2018 and registered as a non-governmental organisation in 2020 with the National NGO Board (Registration No. 8139). We work with underserved, marginalised and vulnerable groups in Uganda to strengthen livelihoods and reduce vulnerability.
Our mission is to create sustainable, self-driven communities that promote development and better standards of living. Our work covers food security, livelihoods, nutrition, integrated health and WASH, financial literacy, mental health support, vocational training and community development.
Our history and mission →
Our focus
Our programmes
Skilling and livelihoods are our leading priorities. Our wider work supports community participation, access to healthy living conditions and environmental resilience.
Programme 02
Livelihoods & Enterprise
Helping households turn skills into sustainable income
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Programme 04
WASH & Health
Healthy lives begin with safe water and essential services
Explore programme →Supporting livelihoods in a changing environment.
Environmental pressures such as drought, flooding and declining natural resources affect household food security and incomes. Across our four programme areas, TCEI promotes awareness, sustainable practices and community-led adaptation that helps protect livelihoods and build long-term resilience. Our approach emphasises local priorities, inclusion and partnerships that can sustain results beyond individual activities.
Skilling and livelihoods
Our work with refugee women and young people in Nakivale
In Nakivale Refugee Settlement, we work with refugee and host communities to understand skills, priorities and barriers to earning a living.
Our October 2026 Nakivale livelihoods analysis examines 2,000 livelihood records to explore skills, constraints and training preferences. We use the findings to guide community validation and programme design.
Our completed community skilling activities and field engagement inform the next stage of our work. Women Grow & Earn is a proposed programme built on this evidence, with tailoring, hairdressing and peer skills transfer at its centre.
Read about our Nakivale work →
Our core focus
From learning a skill to building a livelihood.
Access to training is important, but communities also need routes to customers, business knowledge and opportunities to earn. TCEI brings skills development and economic empowerment together so that practical learning can support greater household independence.
We work towards stronger entrepreneurship, income-generating activities, financial literacy and market connections that reflect the realities of local communities.
Explore livelihoods →Projects and community action
Our work reaches beyond the classroom.
Our programmes include women’s empowerment, vocational and enterprise activities, water and sanitation engagement, disability inclusion, and support for children and young people.
Explore projects & impact →
From our gallery
Real moments from our community work
Our photographs document training, livelihoods, water-related activities, disability inclusion and community engagement.
Skills in action
Vocational learning and community engagement.
Inclusion and dignity
Supporting the participation and wellbeing of children with disabilities.
Water and community wellbeing
Recognising the role of safe water in everyday life.
Stay connected
Stories, initiatives and community priorities
Read updates on our existing and developing work, including Empower Her, youth and children’s initiatives, safe water and sanitation, and efforts to strengthen livelihoods.
We welcome partnerships with community organisations, researchers, donors, institutions and volunteers who share a commitment to practical, inclusive development.
Read news & stories →Collaboration
Our Partners
Our work is strengthened through collaboration with organisations and community institutions that share our commitment to practical, inclusive development.
Phoenix Children Foundation
Aliwamu N’abaguminkiriza Furniture DesignsIn-kind support for youth skilling and practical training.
Refugee Youth Peace Foundation, NakivaleCommunity coordination, mobilisation and supervision supporting our activities in Nakivale Refugee Settlement.
KHF FoundationSupport for safe spaces for girls in Yumbe.