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The Uganda Green Enterprise Finance Accelerator (UGEFA) is pleased to announce that the call for applications for the newly launched UGEFA4Her is now open. UGEFA4Her is a dedicated initiative within UGEFA designed to support women-led green enterprises in Uganda to strengthen their businesses and access the finance they need to grow.
Recently launched, UGEFA4Her addresses the specific challenges women entrepreneurs face when seeking to scale their businesses in Uganda’s green economy. From collateral gaps and complex lending processes to limited access to business networks and mentorship, women-led enterprises face structural barriers that this programme is designed to help overcome.
Who can apply?
UGEFA4Her welcomes applications from:
- Women-led or women-owned green enterprises registered and operating in Uganda
- Post-revenue businesses with demonstrated growth potential
- Enterprises operating in green sectors, including but not limited to: renewable energy, green manufacturing (incl. sustainable agriculture), waste management and recycling, eco-tourism and sustainable transport
- Entrepreneurs who are interested in accessing external finance to scale their business
What does UGEFA offer?
All selected enterprises benefit from UGEFA’s comprehensive standard support:
- Catalyser Programme: 12 days of capacity building through interactive workshops to prepare enterprises for growth and external financing, including business model refinement, financial systems strengthening, and investment-readiness preparation
- Technical support for sustainable and clean production
- Access to the UGEFA Funding Facility: Facilitated access to discounted loans through UGEFA’s network of partner financial institutions in Uganda
- Networking and visibility opportunities to connect with peers, partners and potential investors
- 3 gender tools integrated into the standard curriculum
What additional support does UGEFA4Her provide?
Women-led and women-owned enterprises additionally benefit from the UGEFA4Her programme, a supplementary 1-day session designed exclusively for female entrepreneurs:
- Choose the sessions most relevant to your needs: up to 4 tailored sessions offered on the extra day
- Women-only spaces for peer-sharing and networking
- Practical support to help you fully participate in the programme
How to apply:
- Review the eligibility criteria above
- Prepare your business information (business registration documents, revenue data, team information, description of your green business model)
- Complete the online application form at: https://agefa.eu/apply
- Submit your application before 10th June, 23:59PM CEST
Applications will be reviewed by the UGEFA team, and shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview. Successful applicants will be notified via email after the deadline closes.
“We were inspired by the tremendous response to our launch in March,” said Christine Meyer, UGEFA Programme Lead. “The interest from women entrepreneurs across Uganda confirmed what we already knew: there is a huge demand for tailored support that addresses the specific barriers women face. We’re excited to open applications and to welcome new UGEFA4Her cohorts.”
Since its inception in 2020, UGEFA has supported 206 green enterprises, facilitated over EUR 8 million in green finance through 100 loans, contributed to the creation of 1,037 green jobs and worked with 12 commercial banks on green finance products. UGEFA4Her builds on this proven track record with a gender-responsive lens.
The Green Enterprise Finance Accelerator is funded fully by the European Union and implemented by adelphi global gGmbH.
Women-owned: An enterprise is considered women-owned if at least 51% of the ownership is held by one or more women.
Women-led: An enterprise is considered women-led if a woman holds a significant leadership position, such as CEO, managing director, or equivalent, and has substantial decision-making authority within the organisation.
