Context:

The education system doesn’t always succeed in Uganda and it is the country’s disadvantaged young people who are the worst affected. This in turn leads to rising youth unemployment rates.

To: Approach:

The Social Innovation Academy, located in the hills of Mpigi outside of Kampala, tackles the dual issues of failing education and rising unemployment. On a campus of self-organized and ‘freesponsible’ learning spaces, disadvantaged young people are able to create positive change as social entrepreneurs. 

So far, 185 scholars have been empowered and 32 social enterprises have been created. There are currently 7-10 entrepreneurs in residence, with many of these already building their own startups and product lines.

With the success of this entrepreneurial program, as with all incubators, the challenge is to continue to find pathways for supporting these young innovative leaders.

Refugees in Nakivale have now created their own version of the SINA education model, the first ever example of an entrepreneur incubator inside a refugee camp. R&D Nakivale provided a grant and mentorship to this community throughout 2019.

Founded by Creative Activist Namujju Juliet, Kimuli Fashionability creates fashion items & accessories from upcycled waste products, while also employing people with disabilities. 

Namujju Juliet has created pieces for CA: The Alpina Gstaad, curated fashion shows and co-created this Sugar Jacket with To: Creative Activist Ugo. The Sugar Jacket was on display at the United Nations Global Goals Week in 2018, during the opening of the UN General Assembly, and was worn by a select crew of To: Creative Activists at Burning Man.

CA: Liz has advanced the lives of dozens of female coffee farmers and their children through rural wealth creation and community transformation. In collaboration with CA: #TOGETHERBAND, Liz will soon be featured as a leading entrepreneur addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.