Washington , Sep 22 (APP): USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has launched Building Better Futures, a multi-year global campaign to expand access to higher education for refugees, with a special focus on women and girls.Led by an advisory task force of six international women leaders, the initiative is part of the USA for UNHCR’s Women in Philanthropy program. The campaign aims to raise $15 million by 2028 to support 1,000 female refugee scholars through the DAFI Scholarship Program, the world’s longest-running higher education scholarship for refugees. Already, $3.1 million has been pledged in lead donations.
“Through education, refugees become agents of change rather than recipients of aid. That’s why this campaign is more than a fundraising effort—it’s a global movement to stand with and support women,” said Suzanne Ehlers, Executive Director and CEO of USA for UNHCR.The campaign is aligned with the global ‘15by30’ pledge, which seeks to increase refugee youth enrollment in higher education to 15 percent by 2030. It also focuses on amplifying refugee voices, championing gender equality, and breaking barriers to scholarship access.South Sudanese refugee and DAFI scholar Monicah Malith, now pursuing a law degree at the University of Nairobi, shared her story of resilience: “By empowering us through education, we can break the cycle of hardship and provide a path towards a brighter future.”Support for the campaign is growing. Philanthropist Jessica de Rothschild contributed $1.1 million through the ERANDA Rothschild Foundation to fund scholarships for 80 refugee women.
Since its founding, the DAFI program has supported over 27,200 students across 59 host countries. However, funding shortages remain critical, with 2024 marking the first decline in scholarships since the pandemic.Despite challenges, Building Better Futures seeks to create lasting pathways of opportunity, proving that refugee education is vital not only for individuals but for the prosperity of entire communities.
USA for UNHCR Launches $15M ‘Building Better Futures’ Campaign to Empower Refugee Women Through Education
