Refugees Initiative

Refugees Initiative is sponsored by Hilton Foundation. Invests in partners with a two-generation approach focused on integrated early childhood development and livelihood programs for refugees.

Refugees Initiative - Hilton Foundation From Displacement to Hope: Charting a New Course for Refugees Currently, more than 117 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced from their homes. Of them, over 43. 4 million are classified as refugees.

Forced to flee due to violence, war, or persecution, many lack adequate support and face an uncertain future. In many host countries, including those with open borders, refugees face policies and practices that hinder their mobility and access to basic services and employment.

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted these vulnerable populations and the communities that welcome them, leading to lost livelihoods and education as well as food insecurity. Although the circumstances that lead to displacement are often traumatic and tragic, refugees themselves have tremendous resilience and perseverance.

They contribute economically and socially to the communities that welcome them, becoming advocates for their needs and the solutions required to address them. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Refugees Initiative works with a range of partners to support solutions to some of the toughest challenges facing refugees and migrants, their families, and the communities that host them.

Our strategic two-generation approach helps refugee children, their families and caregivers thrive, forging a pathway to sustainable positive change. Funding refugee-led organizations and championing the inclusion of refugee voices in the policy and decision-making processes that will impact their lives is central to our commitment.

Strategic Support for Displaced Families and Communities Our vision is to improve the lives and livelihoods of refugee families and the communities hosting them. We invest in children’s healthy development and expand access to economic opportunities for parents and caregivers in Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, and Uganda .

Through our grantmaking, we aim to: Invest in partners with a two-generation approach focused on integrated early childhood development and livelihood programs that recognize the interconnection between children and their caregivers’ welfare. Strengthen relationships across governments, municipalities, and local and refugee-led organizations.

Contribute to global research and programming to drive innovative, sustainable and locally-led initiatives and policies. Champion the voices of refugees to advance effective and scalable solutions. Continuously refine our advocacy strategy and learning agenda and build partnerships at local, regional and global levels.

Kejia, Literary and Adult Basic Education (LABE) teacher, instructs young children at a Home Learning Center in her refugee settlement in Gulu, Uganda. Photo Credit: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Fostering Equity and Championing Refugee Communities The two-generation approach ensures that refugee and migrant children receive the care they need for their healthy development.

At the same time, parents and caregivers earn an income, contributing economically and socially to their host communities and fostering resilience and self-esteem. To date, over 3,000 young parents and caregivers have received employment services and support across Colombia, Ethiopia and Uganda. Our grants do more than help meet the urgent needs of refugees and host communities.

By investing in efforts to include refugees in decision-making opportunities that impact their lives, we address systemic challenges , charting a course to a more equitable and just future for all. Prioritizing funding for refugee-led organizations has always been an integral part of our strategy. In 2022, we provided 46% of all the trackable humanitarian and development funding allocated to refugee-led organizations.

S25 Goals – the initiative set the following impact goals for S25 ( results expected in November 2026) : children living in refugee settings meet developmental milestones parents and caregivers in 4 countries are employed, informally or formally of refugees in 4 countries have the documents required to access social and financial services Quality care for infants and young children to ensure their healthy development Economic activities for adults to create income streams and foster entrepreneurship Caregiver well-being and parenting practices Reduction of legal and procedural barriers to employment and services Advocacy for access to funding and decision-making for refugee-led organizations (RLOs) In partnership with our grantees, the Hilton Foundation Refugees Initiative advances refugee inclusion and integration in Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia and Uganda.

Learn more about the Refugees Initiative Delve deeper. Related news and publications Hope and Resilience on World Refugee Day Lessons from Latin America: Migrant Inclusion, City Leadership and Unlocking Funding World Bank 2026 Spring Meeting Recap Jobtech for Refugees: Connecting People and Employment Opportunities Across East Africa Conrad N.

Hilton Foundation Board Approves Over $30 Million in Grants in the First Quarter of 2026 Centering those who are closest: How funders can ensure refugee-led organizations are leading in localization efforts New Insights in Refugee Lens Investing Power Sustainable Change Child Care Champions Convene in Nairobi, Kenya to Drive Global Early Childhood Progress Conrad N.

Hilton Foundation Board Approves Over $31 Million in Grants in the Third Quarter of 2025 Enhancing Meaningful Refugee Participation: Piloting the Meaningful Refugee Participation Index (MRPI) Early Childhood Development