The Nakivale Experiential Learning and Innovation Center (NELIC) was designed in collaboration with Dr. Mara Huber, founding director of the UB Experiential Learning Network. NELIC promotes and supports engagement around Climate Action with a focus on Environmental Conservation, Agroforestry and Community Technology. It also supports youth groups in Nakivale Refugee Settlement while serving as a model for other rural and low-resource environments where youth are eager to make change while developing their own skills and competencies and earning revenue to support themselves and their families.

NELIC operates with the following strategic goals:

• Share community technologies related to Climate Action to inspire Nakivale youth to innovate while developing high-value skills, competencies and experiences. 

• Support Experiential Learning with PEARL projects and badges, modeled after the UB Experiential Learning Network system by Dr. Huber

• Cultivate and direct resources through competitions, grants, and the creation of seed funding to support youth groups ready to implement projects under the direction of mentors

• Build value around PEARL badges by creating new opportunities and resources for youth who complete projects and implement innovations.

• Study the model towards strengthening and sharing for broader impact

AYISD works with Dr. Huber to translate PEARL into a process that can be supported by AYISD and utilized to assist youth in exploring technologies of interest and working through the steps necessary to prepare for implementation.

PEARL badges support dynamic assessment and result in data that can be shared with external funders to generate additional resources and support. Targeted grants can incentivize engagement around specific Eco-restoration and climate action innovations, cultivating a foundation for further growth.

NELIC is the first translation of the ELN model (PEARL badges) outside of a formal education system. It provides an important case study for other community-based organizations within refugee settlements and working with low-resource or vulnerable communities throughout East Africa and beyond.