We are delighted to announce that SINA has been selected as one of the four winners of the prestigious Ockenden International Prize 2023, recognising innovative projects promoting self-reliance among refugees and displaced people. According to the jury, out of a record 169 entries, SINA’s project stood out for “training that’s manifestly inspiring young business entrepreneurs by implementing your principle of ‘Freesponsibility’ – combining ‘freedom’ with ‘responsibility’ – and the co-creation of ‘Self-organised Learning Spaces’.” The jury also noted that SINA has successfully empowered refugees in Uganda with a range of distinctive and autonomous social business startups.
Ockenden International is based in the UK and recognises that displaced people are likely to have a continuing need for support from local, national, and international agencies, but that this is not incompatible with the pursuit of self-reliance and therefore, Ockenden International aims to support locally-based and refugee-led organisations that work directly with refugees and displaced people to advance self-reliance. The prize comes with a financial grant of GBP 25,000 to continue promoting self-reliance among refugees and displaced people.