Mapping the Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship Supporters in Uganda

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GLOBAL EXCHANGE AND TRAINING FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICES 2

Uganda National Report 25.12.2020 Project number: 618649/MK-UG This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.

This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Preface The main motivation behind this project is to foster the cooperation, exchange and upgrade of good practices between project countries with a final vision – new quality jobs through creation of entrepreneurship mindset and culture among economic actors in the societies.

This research will help us understand the training needs/ thematic intervention areas for the young people in the labour market: from unemployment and precarious work, to entrepreneurship by necessity.

It is based on the fact that young people’s situation in the world of work is shaped by structural limitations that call for policy interventions and review. Later, it is suggested that by concentrating efforts on preparing young people to navigate an unfriendly labour market, youths work may overlook the very structural dysfunctions that cause unemployment or in-work poverty, for instance.

This research report lays the ground for proposals suggesting youth work actors and National Agencies on Youth,to take on board young people’s concerns and advocate for youth-responsive policy-making processes.

This report will help us to see what entrepreneurial and employment ecosystems look like in Uganda. This report can be used to discover insights and learn more about the entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as to find recommendations on how to strengthen and network the ecosystem in the country.

The author of this report is Areebahona Gerald,and other key players within the Drucilla Organisation.

The author conducted this desktop research to understand the current state of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Uganda.

Youth unemployment has always been there. However, there are several ways the current situation differs from the youth unemployment of previous generations. Other research has identified an increase in long-term unemployment among young people whose parents experienced unemployment during previous recessions.

The desktop research included: identifying and analyzing relevant projects or programs that are helping people to get employed, open, or improve their businesses, identification of the training programs that are offered on the market, collecting data on entrepreneurship and employment ecosystem supporters, and identification of beneficiaries from the projects, programs, and training.

Find the Ecosystem Research here.

Dated this 25 day of December , 2020 Signature:Areebahona Gerald For :Drucilla Balaba Handicraft-Diocese of Kigezi Ltd.

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Report To reduce the risk of long-term youth unemployment, it is important to strike a balance between “train first” versus “work first” approaches. This requires a careful analysis of the social and economic conditions and potential outputs.

The survey of the environment for entrepreneurial and employment ecosystems in Uganda, as part of the GET YES2 project, lays the foundation in the Country for further focus on the expert and wider public knowledge regarding mapping the Projects best practices and employment programs and training. At the same time, this research provides a database on the key entrepreneurship and employment players.

1.1. Project best practices This research was made according to several indicators, such as: ● high success rate for getting employment to the Youths. ● Innovative program or methodology ● focus on niche target groups. ● became self-sustainable after the donor's exit. ● the impact that is made on creation of proactive and entrepreneurial children.

For these practices to be realised,Drucilla has identified detailed target groups which reflect the broad engagement needed for employability and entrepre - neurship themes with a special focus on those with fewer opportunities and special needs for self sustainability.

This Desk research depicts a picture that there are quite a good number of successful projects completed in Uganda.While many of these projects include activities aimed at gaining the basic knowledge and life skills that the youths will need in the field of employment and entrepreneurship, almost all of them are built on dynamics where they can work with successful mentors to help them find a place in the entrepreneurship ecosystem by creating a network.

Participants continued to be supported with the help of advanced training in line with the main purpose and objectives of the projects. looking at the contents of the projects, we observe that while the emphasis is on Skills Training -based projects in general, activities aimed at spreading entrepreneurship and developing innovative methods are not less.

From this desk research,it has been revealed that the primary objective of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is the acquisition of employable skills for the world of work. Without these job-related skills, the Youth and adults cannot benefit from employment opportunities that offer a decent income. The large numbers of young people who are not in education, employment or training is not only an indictment on the efficiency of national education and training systems but also a national security concern.

In its program “Skilling Africa”,mapping the role of Youth in the field of Employment and Entrepreneurship should be included.The Government should also divert its resources that translate into supporting youth-oriented projects in the field of Social Entrepreneurship. This should be so because one possible way to address youth unemployment is to support young

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people in creating their own businesses. They have the interest and potential to become self-employed.

Moreso,Youth are more likely to have a preference for self-employment than adults: 45% of youth prefer self-employment to employment, whereas 37% of adults prefer self-employment.

Youth are also more likely to believe that self-employment is feasible: 41% of youth think that they could be self-employed within the next 5 years compared to 30% of adults who think that it is feasible.

Training programs on the market Regarding the training programs available in other markets, the results are not freely talked about that the supply on the market is growing alongside with the demand. The research was based on the following indicators: ● Increased rate for business opportunities ● percent increase in employment after the training Reviewing the skills training courses, it is evident that while designing and building Vocational Skills training Package for the marginalized Youth, a SWOT analysis of programmes needs to be done.

Through this research,it has been observed that there is alot desire to have Vocational and Occupational Skills training in the Country which are either completely free of charge or at a very subsidized fees. This would not only facilitate training opportunities to improve the income and financial independence of adults in the community but also provide employment opportunities with an emphasis on skills development.

The Government should work towards empowering women and or girl children and improve their social standing in the community since they are the most vulnerable.

Database of entrepreneurship and employment ecosystem supporters There are number of various institutions are open to sharing information to support the ecosys this section.These range from Non- Governmental and Governmental organizations, sector,Intermediary Organizations, Accelerators, financial Institutions like Banks,Savings and Organisations(SACCOS), Universities and other ,Higher institutions of learning among othe contributing to the Ecosystem environment.The Support for entrepreneurship and developm entrepreneurial ecosystems by different organizations have moved on top of the national agen job creation.

Our survey randomly picked 52 different supporters while there are many others.

1.2. Beneficiaries and good practices

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According to this research, the Youth who have start-up capital have been able to live a dignified life.Historically,Occupational skills training for gainful employment has been a private matter.Individuals have acquired skills through apprenticeship (on-the job training) Skills development has been identified as the only primary means of enabling the Youths to make a smooth transition of work,improved basic education and core skills are particularly important in enabling the youth to engage in a life long learning, as well as transitional labour market.

Helping the Youth get life skills makes economic sense.As they grow up,they become increasingly vulnerable to job losses and labour market shocks.Private Sector Partnerships and workplace training have been important in helping to address this problem.

Despite the above,there is alot to talk about the need to diversify the skills in relation to job creation among the Youth.Formal Trainings have also been identified as one other means to help the Youths feel more confident in their ability to do the job.

The focus of entrepreneurship programs to facilitate self-employment in most poverty stricken households is to improve their livelihoods rather than promoting cutting-edge innovation and business growth.In so doing,it creates more potential to raise the desire of mentoring job makes than being job seekers.

Evidence of successful programs is limited and program designs often seem ill suited to the needs and characteristics of these subsistence entrepreneurs.Given the market failures faced by subsistence entrepreneurs,interventions that complement safety net programs with well targeted support to promote productive self employment may hold some promise to have self-reliant Youths.