KOICA Rwanda Office, the grant aid agency of the Government of the Republic of Korea, convened its annual World Friends Korea (WFK) Partnership Conference, bringing together partner institutions, volunteer co-workers, and KOICA volunteers from across Rwanda to review achievements, strengthen collaboration, and chart the future direction of the volunteer program.
The annual conference serves as a platform for institutions hosting KOICA volunteers to share experiences, exchange best practices, evaluate ongoing cooperation, and align volunteer activities with Rwanda’s development priorities.
This year’s conference focused on enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of volunteer interventions under KOICA Rwanda’s 2025–2027 WFK Strategy.
Currently, KOICA Rwanda has 69 WFK members serving across the country, comprising 13 Regular Volunteers, 38 Project Volunteers, 12 NGO Volunteers, 3 Advisors, and 3 KMCO members.
Working alongside partner institutions in education, public administration, healthcare, youth development, agriculture, and social welfare, these volunteers continue to contribute to Rwanda’s socio-economic development while strengthening the friendship between Rwanda and the Republic of Korea.
In her opening remarks, KOICA Rwanda Country Director Ms. Jinhwa Kim welcomed representatives of partner organizations and acknowledged their invaluable contribution to the success of the volunteer program.
She emphasized that the conference was not merely a review of past activities but an opportunity to reaffirm the shared commitment between Rwanda and Korea and to strengthen the foundations of long-term cooperation.
“The guidelines and evaluation systems we are introducing are not rigid metrics imposed by KOICA, but a shared roadmap to ensure that our volunteer programs become more impactful, meaningful, and sustainable for the communities we serve,” she noted.
The Country Director also highlighted the growing importance of cultural exchange within development cooperation, referencing the Korean Government’s vision of promoting Cultural Official Development Assistance (ODA).
She encouraged partner institutions and volunteers to integrate cultural exchange activities into their work, fostering greater mutual understanding and friendship between the people of Rwanda and Korea.
During the conference, KOICA Rwanda presented key priorities under its 2025–2027 WFK Strategy, which seeks to strengthen the self-reliance of Rwandan youth and promote their contribution to community development through integrated support in public administration, education, and healthcare.
The strategy aligns volunteer programs with KOICA’s Country Plan and Rwanda’s National Development Strategy while emphasizing performance-oriented volunteer management, evidence-based monitoring, and measurable development outcomes.
Participants were introduced to KOICA Rwanda’s 2026 strategic priorities, including the establishment of a host organization evaluation system, enhanced demand identification mechanisms, the expansion of youth-focused volunteer activities in priority sectors, and stronger partnership structures between volunteers and host organizations.
The conference also unveiled plans to strengthen peer learning among partner institutions and expand cultural diplomacy initiatives through Korea-Rwanda cultural exchange programs.
A key highlight of the conference was the sharing of successful volunteer-host organization collaborations.
Representatives from partner institutions and volunteers showcased examples of how cooperation has generated meaningful results in local communities.
Through the CADIE Project (Capacity Development for ICT in Education) and its follow-up activities, KOICA has continued to strengthen digital learning environments in schools across Kigali.
Project volunteers have played a critical role in ensuring the sustainability of the initiative by providing technical assistance, mentoring teachers, and supporting the effective utilization of smart classrooms established under the project.
Their efforts have enhanced teachers’ ICT competencies through continuous professional development programs and one-on-one collaboration, enabling greater integration of digital technologies into classroom instruction.
Student-led ICT clubs have further promoted digital literacy and practical technology skills among learners, encouraging innovation and greater ownership of learning.
In addition, the upgraded ICT infrastructure has served wider community needs, including functioning as an examination center for the recruitment of education personnel.
Building on these achievements, KOICA Rwanda plans to expand similar ICT education support initiatives beyond Kigali to other parts of the country, contributing to Rwanda’s broader digital transformation agenda.
Another notable example came from the collaboration between volunteer Park Geumhee and Centre de Promotion des Activités pour les Jeunes (CPAJ).
Working alongside social worker Ntaganda Jean Pierre, the partnership implemented a range of social welfare initiatives, including needs assessments, case management services, camp programs, vocational training, and projects aimed at improving the health and living conditions of vulnerable children and single mothers.
The collaboration demonstrated how strong partnerships between volunteers and local co-workers can create sustainable, community-centered solutions while ensuring effective beneficiary support and program implementation.
In recognition of outstanding partnership and commitment to volunteer activities, KOICA Rwanda honored GS Cyahafi and École Primaire La Miséricorde as the Best Performing Partner Organizations.
The awards recognize the institutions’ exemplary collaboration with KOICA volunteers, commitment to educational innovation, and significant contribution to strengthening ICT capacity among teachers, students, and the wider community.
Interactive discussions provided opportunities for partner institutions to explore innovative approaches to combining their expertise with the skills and cultural talents of KOICA volunteers, further advancing people-to-people exchanges between Rwanda and Korea.
As Rwanda and Korea continue to deepen their partnership, the conference reaffirmed KOICA Rwanda’s commitment to working closely with host institutions to maximize the impact of volunteer programs and contribute to Rwanda’s sustainable development goals.
About KOICA
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was established in 1991 by the Government of the Republic of Korea to implement grant aid and technical cooperation programs.
KOICA Rwanda has partnered with the Government of Rwanda since 2011, supporting national development priorities in education, ICT, agriculture, governance, and youth empowerment through development projects, volunteer programs, capacity building, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
