What Windle International does

Windle International is an international non-governmental organisation (iNGO) founded in 1977 by Dr Hugh Austin Windle Pilkington, providing education and training for refugees and conflict-affected populations across Eastern Africa. It operates as a network of member organisations headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, with country operations in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Rwanda, plus support offices in the Netherlands and the United States. Core programming covers the full education lifecycle — early childhood development, primary, secondary, vocational, and tertiary scholarship — delivered through direct management of schools in refugee settlements (notably Dadaab and Kakuma), community-based interventions, and scholarship administration. The portfolio is anchored by institutional grant funding from UNHCR, UNICEF, the European Union, the World Bank, and the Mastercard Foundation, supplemented by individual donations and corporate/foundation partnerships (e.g., Waterloo Foundation, Coles-Medlock Foundation, Book Aid International).

The organisation's product architecture combines operational service delivery with several proprietary innovations. The "Two Schools in One" double-shift model uses existing school infrastructure to double student intake (from 2,558 to 5,118 in Dadaab) and has been recognised by UNHCR at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum. The Borderless Higher Education for Refugees (BHER) programme delivers blended online and onsite university degrees from Dadaab, while Connected Classrooms live-streams lessons to multiple streams to address staffing gaps. Supporting programmes include STEMSTEPS (STEM education in 17 Turkana secondary schools), the Last Mile Connectivity Programme (digital integration for 54 primary schools), the Children Feeding Initiative (47,724+ learners across 58 schools), the Urban Education Programme (Kenya urban refugees), and the Student Refugee Programme (resettlement to Canadian universities).

The business model is that of a UK-registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1153544), with revenue entirely derived from donations, grants, and institutional funding rather than commercial sales. Windle explicitly reports that 70%+ of funds are allocated directly to educational programmes. Major strategic partners include UNHCR (primary implementation), UNICEF, World Bank, EU, ILO, Enabel, ADRA, World University Service of Canada, and Book Aid International. Geographic expansion is actively underway, with Rwanda country registration completed in 2023, the Windle International Rwanda Scholarship Program piloted in September 2025, and Windle International USA formally launched in 2025.

Name

Windle International

Legal name

Windle International

Website

https://windleinternational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Windle International is a UK-registered iNGO network providing education and vocational training to refugees and conflict-affected populations across Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and Rwanda, funded primarily by UNHCR, UNICEF, EU, and World Bank grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE) (EDADALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH), Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ)

Keywords

• Refugee education services
• Humanitarian education programs
• Vocational training refugees
• Scholarship programs
• Educational NGO services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Institutional Grant Funding: Majority of funding from institutional donors including UNHCR, UNICEF, EU, World Bank, Mastercard Foundation, and bilateral government aid agencies
2. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individual supporters, facilitated through website, Big Give campaigns, and fundraising events. Fundraising regulator registered organization.
3. Corporate and Foundation Partnerships: Partnership funding from foundations including Waterloo Foundation, Coles-Medlock Foundation, Book Aid International, Convoy of Hope

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Windle International delivers comprehensive education and training services for refugees and conflict-affected populations across eastern Africa, including primary, secondary, tertiary, vocational, and early childhood education programmes. The organisation operates as an implementing partner for institutional funders (UNHCR, UNICEF, EU, World Bank) directly managing schools, scholarship administration, and community-based interventions in refugee camps and host communities. Integrated support services include nutrition, child protection, digital connectivity, and entrepreneurship training.

Product overview

Windle International operates as an international NGO network providing comprehensive education and training services for refugees and marginalized communities across Eastern Africa. The portfolio includes secondary education programmes managed in refugee camps (Secondary Education Programme), vocational training for employability (Vocational Training and Employability Programme), and innovative education delivery models. Key innovations include the Two Schools In One double-shift model, Borderless Higher Education for Refugees (BHER), and Connected Classrooms technology. Supporting programmes include the STEMSTEPS STEM education initiative, Last Mile Connectivity Programme for digital access, Urban Education Programme for urban refugees, integrated Children Feeding Initiative, Reading for All literacy project, i-UPSHIFT youth entrepreneurship programme, and Student Refugee Program for resettlement to Canada. Scholarship offerings include the DAFI programme and new Rwanda Scholarship Program. Country-specific initiatives include e-WINS and ACTIVE projects in Somalia. The organisation provides education at all levels from early childhood through postgraduate, with integrated support services addressing nutrition, infrastructure, and climate adaptation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Two Schools in One: An innovative double shift model to accommodate more students in secondary schools in refugee camps, addressing overcrowding through effective use of existing resources.
• Borderless Higher Education for Refugees (BHER)
• Connected Classrooms

Products and services

• Secondary Education Programme
• Vocational Training and Employability Programme
• Two Schools in One
• Borderless Higher Education for Refugees (BHER)
• Connected Classrooms
• STEMSTEPS Programme
• Last Mile Connectivity Programme (LMCS)
• Urban Education Programme (UEP)
• Children Feeding Initiative
• Reading for All (RFA) Project
• i-UPSHIFT Project
• Student Refugee Program (SRP)
• DAFI Scholarship Programme
• e-WINS Project
• ACTIVE Project
• School Infrastructural Development Project (SIDE)
• Windle International Rwanda Scholarship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million people helped annually to access quality education
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FilmAid KenyaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Photography training programme for 120 students (60 boys, 60 girls) in Dadaab secondary schools to learn visual storytelling.
• SDG Youth (South Korea)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Menstrual Hygiene Management project in Nakivale Refugee Settlement supporting 100 girls at Kabahinda Primary School with period pants and education.
• Africa New Life Ministries (ANLM)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Windle International Rwanda Scholarship Program launched September 2025 for refugee students in Nyabiheke Camp and host community, managed by WIU with ANLM schools.
• Book Aid InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2020Partnership for Mini Solar Homework Club project providing supplementary books, revision guides, and solar lamps to refugee students in 7 schools in Kakuma. BAI donates thousands of books annually to refugee camps through WIK.
• World University Service of Canada (WUSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2019Student Refugee Programme enables refugee youth access to higher education and resettlement opportunities in Canada. 117 students resettled with 97% academic completion rate and 85% employment rate.
• UNHCRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary implementation partner for refugee education programmes across Dadaab, Kakuma, and operations in Uganda, Somalia. Long-standing partnership spanning decades with WIU recognised as UNHCR's trusted partner for education delivery.
• Convoy of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren Feeding Initiative supports 47,724 learners across 58 schools with daily meals, nutritional assessment, and WASH interventions. WIU implements on behalf of Convoy of Hope.
• ADRAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnere-WINS project for female entrepreneurship in Jubaland, Somalia; ACTIVE Project for renewable energy and agri-food value chains (2024-2028); IMPACT project for green economy TVET training.
• Finn Church AidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHands On Art Workshops partnership supporting art clubs in refugee schools with scholarships for girls and bursaries for art coaches.
• UCL Slade School of Fine ArtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Hands On Art Workshops providing art education programmes and mentorship to refugee students.
• Joy for Children Uganda (JFC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSEEP implementation partner working with WIU for education expansion in Uganda.
• ADRA SomaliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACTIVE project for renewable energy access, agri-food value chains, and circular economy practices across six regions of Somalia (2024-2028).
• CEFORDminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUSEEP Lot 4 implementation partner in Uganda strengthening child protection across secondary schools.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Plan International: Large multi-sector child-rights iNGO with significant education-in-emergencies programming for refugee and displaced children, including in East Africa. Comparable on beneficiary type and donor mix but a broader portfolio beyond refugee-only education.
• BRAC: Global development organisation running large-scale education, vocational training, and livelihoods programmes for marginalised populations, with growing East Africa presence through BRAC International. Comparable on the vocational/employability delivery model but operates across many sectors beyond refugee education.

Direct peers

• International Rescue Committee: Global humanitarian NGO delivering education in emergencies, child protection, and economic recovery in refugee contexts across East Africa. Direct peer on refugee education delivery, donor mix (UNHCR/EU/USG), and beneficiary population.
• Norwegian Refugee Council: One of the largest iNGOs providing education, shelter, and livelihoods for refugees and displaced people, with deep operations in East Africa and similar donor relationships (UNHCR, EU, bilateral). Highly comparable to Windle on mission, beneficiary profile (refugees/conflict-affected), and UNHCR implementing-partner positioning.
• Jesuit Refugee Service: Faith-based iNGO providing tertiary education, scholarships, and psychosocial support to refugees in East Africa, including DAFI scholarships alongside UNHCR. Direct overlap with Windle's DAFI and tertiary scholarship programmes.
• Danish Refugee Council: Major implementing partner for UNHCR operating education, protection, and livelihoods programmes in refugee camps in Kenya, Uganda, and elsewhere in East Africa. Closely overlaps with Windle's footprint and donor relationships.
• RefugePoint: Specialist refugee NGO focused on protection, self-reliance, and resettlement pathways for refugees, including Dadaab operations. Highly comparable to Windle's tertiary scholarship and Student Refugee Programme pathways.

Emerging players

• Relief International: Humanitarian NGO providing education, protection, and livelihoods for refugees and conflict-affected populations, with active East Africa programming. Comparable model and donor mix at slightly smaller scale.
• Concern Worldwide: Ireland-based iNGO with established education-in-emergencies and livelihoods programming for refugees and host communities in East Africa. Overlaps on beneficiary focus and donor base but smaller refugee-education footprint than Windle.

Others

• World University Service of Canada (WUSC): WUSC operates the Student Refugee Programme through which Windle resettles refugee students to Canadian universities; they are a direct operational partner (117 students) rather than a competitor, but listed for comparability on the tertiary-refugee pathway model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Windle_Intl_Ke
• Facebookfacebook.com/Windle.Intl.Ke
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/windleinternational

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Windle International