Refugee Youth Changemakers (RYCM) empowers displaced and marginalized youth through mentorship, education, innovation, and storytelling.
We work to inspire refugee youth to lead change within their communities by creating safe spaces for learning, leadership, and advocacy. Through grassroots initiatives and partnerships, we amplify refugee voices and equip youth with the skills they need to build a future full of possibility.
Alice Nancy conducting a session in Kiziba Refugee Camp, Rwanda © RYCM
Every day, thousands of young people in refugee communities face barriers to education, mentorship, and self-expression. Many are at risk of dropping out of school, losing hope, or being left behind by systems not designed for them.
RYCM exists to change that. We focus on young refugees—especially those in camps or low-resource environments—supporting them to stay in school, discover their voice, and lead change in their communities. Whether through podcasting, youth summits, mentorship programs, or advocacy campaigns, we make sure refugee youth are not only heard—but involved in creating the solutions they need.
Through our flagship podcast series and media training, we equip young people to share their stories and experiences in their own words. These platforms empower youth to reclaim narratives, advocate for change, and influence policy through personal storytelling.
We design and deliver mentorship and peer-support programs focused on life skills, school retention, and career guidance. Our volunteer mentors and facilitators help youth envision and plan for a future filled with opportunity—even in the face of displacement.
RYCM nurtures youth-led solutions to local problems—from environmental challenges to mental health awareness. We provide spaces and support for creativity, collaboration, and grassroots action, ensuring young refugees can become agents of change in their own right.
Refugee youth often go unheard—yet they carry powerful stories, visions, and leadership potential. Many have experienced trauma, exclusion, and broken systems that silence their voices before they are ever heard.
RYCM uses podcasting and media as a tool for healing, education, and influence.
We equip displaced youth with the tools to tell their own stories, share their lived experiences, and speak on issues that affect them and their communities. These voices not only raise awareness—they drive change in policy, education, and public perception.
Through storytelling, we restore confidence, build advocacy skills, and support youth in becoming leaders of the narratives that shape their future.
Many refugee children drop out of school due to poverty, displacement, or lack of support systems. Some never even get the chance to start. Girls and youth with disabilities face even greater obstacles to access and complete education.
RYCM works to keep youth in school through mentorship, peer support, and community-based engagement.
Our mentors help young people navigate the pressures of refugee life while staying focused on learning. We guide them through academic transitions, support their mental health, and ensure they have someone who believes in their success.
We also work with teachers, families, and local leaders to foster environments that encourage school retention—because we know education is the bridge to opportunity and dignity.
Youth in displacement are not just beneficiaries—they are innovators. Many know what their communities need but lack platforms to act.
RYCM nurtures innovation through grassroots projects that are led by refugee youth.
We help them turn their ideas into community solutions—from creating safe spaces for girls, to launching climate-resilient agriculture, to designing mental health workshops. With training, mentorship, and micro-support, we turn potential into impact.
By giving youth the tools to design and lead, we support a new generation of changemakers who build for themselves and inspire others to rise.
Your support can empower refugee youth with education, skills, and opportunities to lead change in their communities.
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