Launch of Highflyers Project – Promoting Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship in Uganda

Youth representatives present were encouraged to mobilise potentially interested and qualifying youth to apply for the program. 

Targeting 1000 young entrepreneurs

Highflyers is a 3 years (2019 -2021) project implemented by ICCO in partnership with Youth Business International, Enterprise Uganda and funded by Argidius Foundation. The programme targets 1,000 young entrepreneurs with an existing agribusiness in Nebbi district and Lango sub region in Uganda. Targeted business for the program include produce trade, agro input supply, food processing, agro-technology and post harvest handling.

Business development trainings

Through this project, ICCO supports youth with business development trainings, financial linkages and support for long term mentorship. The program aims to provide support to young entrepreneurs to grow  their business and create new jobs for fellow youth in the targeted communities.

‘Promote offline application’

The event was attended by 86 participants from sub counties and municipal councils, youth representatives, civil society organisations, representatives of financial institutions, religious leaders and the media. At the official launch of the project the online application tool for potentially interested young entrepreneurs in agribusiness was presented to the district stakeholders. Because of the limited internet access in Nebbi district, however, they requested to widely promote offline application for an even greater response to the program.

Addressing escalating poverty

At the event ICCO was commended for the initiative of transforming the lives of young women and men in Nebbi district. The unique strategy of targeting individual youth employed by ICCO, was highly appreciated by stakeholders.  The District Chairperson, Mr Okello Geoffrey was very optimistic that highflyers would make a positive contribution towards addressing the escalating poverty among youth in Nebbi district. 

Following the launch, 101 online and 204 offline applications have been received from young entrepreneurs in Nebbi, Uganda who want to participate in the Highflyers project. The project team is currently making further analysis of applications received to select appropriate entrepreneurs for the program. Business development trainings for selected entrepreneurs shall be conducted in August 2019 followed by the mentorship program and financial linkages.