Refugee innovation and entrepreneurship impact award
Challenge
Refugee youth and women in Uganda face deep structural barriers, including limited access to quality education, economic opportunities, and leadership roles. Their lived experiences, which could be powerful assets for problem-solving, are rarely centred in innovation programmes. This exclusion results in missed opportunities for locally led and relevant solutions.
Solution
The Cosmo Foundation is empowering refugee youth to create sustainable, community driven ventures. Trained refugee entrepreneurs lead idea-generation workshops that spark creativity, confidence, and uncover real challenges and locally inspired solutions. Selected entrepreneurs receive funding and mentorship to advance livelihood opportunities. A simplified, peer-supported application process ensures that even participants with limited digital access or formal education can fully engage.
Impact
The project will incubate 35 ventures and select 10 winners to establish entrepreneurial initiatives, creating more than 30 jobs in the first year. Supported refugee-led ventures will report increased monthly income and confidence to take initiative or lead activities.