New York City, United States: Uganda’s Koboko Municipality has been awarded a catalytic grant from the Mayors Migration Council’s Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees (GCF), making it one of six global cities selected to advance bold economic inclusion projects for migrants, refugees, and host communities.
The announcement was made in New York City on Thursday, September 25, 2025, as part of a new $3 million GCF investment that will support city-led solutions in Koboko (Uganda), Boston (USA), Kanifing (The Gambia), Manta (Ecuador), Quezon City (Philippines), and Turin (Italy).
Under its “From Waste to Wealth” initiative, Koboko will channel the grant into creating green jobs for women and youth, focusing on briquette making, composting, and clean energy kiosks. The project aims to power a circular economy, reduce pollution, and expand livelihoods in displacement-affected communities, where migrants and refugees form a significant portion of the population.
Koboko Mayor Mr Wilson Sanya welcomed the funding, saying it will strengthen both economic opportunities and climate resilience.
“Through our Waste to Wealth project, we will turn environmental challenges into livelihoods for young people, women, and displacement-affected communities. This initiative shows that mayors and cities must be at the center of solutions to both migration and climate crises—not on the sidelines,” he said.
Koboko Municipality is home to over 25,000 migrants and refugees, who make up 25 percent of the overall population. The municipality has experienced rapid population growth over the past decade, in part due to the arrival of refugees from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
While the city government has welcomed newcomers, resource constraints have made it difficult to meet the needs of its growing population.
The GCF support comes at a time when cities are increasingly recognized as economic engines for migrants and refugees, generating over 80% of global GDP and offering unmatched opportunities compared to rural areas and refugee camps.
However, systemic challenges—from restrictive work authorization to financial exclusion—continue to limit the economic potential of displaced populations.
Vittoria Zanuso, Executive Director of the Mayors Migration Council, emphasized that city-led projects are unlocking shared prosperity: “Mayors continue to deliver solutions that include in their local economies those who are often overlooked. We’re proud to help cities turn migration into a competitive advantage—unlocking prosperity not just for newcomers, but for all,” she noted.
Since its launch, the GCF has mobilized $28 million, supported solutions in 26 cities, and improved the lives of more than 100,000 migrants, refugees, and community members. Building on this success, the MMC has set a new fundraising target of $50 million by 2030 to expand its global impact.
Koboko’s recognition on the global stage highlights Uganda’s continued role as a key refugee-hosting country, while also showcasing the potential of municipal-level innovation in tackling the dual challenges of migration and climate change.