Deadline: 25-May-25
The ESO Uplift Programme is a component of the Social and Impact Entrepreneurship (SIE) Project co-funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), implemented by GrowthAfrica in collaboration with the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK) and the Amahoro Coalition.
This transformative initiative aims to strengthen Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs) across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Ghana, and Egypt, driving sustainable development in Africa
This programme is designed to equip 45 Entrepreneur Support Organisations by providing them with the necessary tools to develop effective and impactful programmes to support impact enterprises over the next four years.
What is in it for you?
- By joining this programme, you will benefit from GrowthAfrica’s vast experience across three decades supporting over 5,000 entrepreneurs and running close to 100 projects and programmes for startups and early-stage businesses and access valuable resources, tools and systems that will empower your entrepreneurship support efforts to achieve greater effectiveness, build stronger capabilities, and amplify your impact on the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- The programme is designed to review your current set-up, take stock of your reality, internal and external, and then assess and redesign your offering to entrepreneurs. The programme will then support you in your efforts to mobilise your ecosystem, access resources, reach the right entrepreneurs and businesses, as well as ultimately stand by you as you deliver your revised programme and entrepreneur support activities.
Programme Structure
- The programme is structured as follows:
- Initial analysis of reality and programme redesign:
- 6 virtual workshops from late July to late September
- 1-on-1 follow-up sessions after each workshop from early August to mid-October
- Curated pre-readings and preparation resources
- Programme redesign support
- 1-on-1 programme design advisory sessions
- Resource & ecosystem mobilisation support
- Access to online resources for content, tools, systems and template development
- Networking and experience sharing sessions with peers (across cohorts & geographies)
- Programme execution support
- Add-hoc content delivery troubleshooting
- Monthly progress check-ins
- Quarterly peer learning sessions
- This programme is designed to help your organisation to:
- Elevate your programme quality and impact: Gain access to the best practice methodology, content, tools and resources for entrepreneur training and support, enabling you to build effective and impactful programmes that truly drive entrepreneurial success.
- Strengthen your organisational foundation: They provide solutions to streamline your organisation and its management, optimising your operational efficiency. Furthermore, they equip you with the strategies and insights needed to identify and acquire the right entrepreneurs for your programmes, ensuring impactful engagement. Our support also focuses on enhancing your internal capacity to run effective capacity building programmes and to develop the necessary expertise to support entrepreneurs in their growth efforts.
- Cultivate a thriving ecosystem: They facilitate the development of a robust network by helping you build an ecosystem of supporters and contributors, fostering a collaborative environment for entrepreneurship. You will also have opportunities to connect with and learn from peers; form knowledge and resource sharing networks, enriching your knowledge base and expanding your reach.
- Enhance financial sustainability: The resources include guidance and strategies to improve your fundraising and revenue generation, ensuring the long-term viability and growth of your ESO and its initiatives.
- Amplify your achievements: Learn effective methods for documenting and communicating your impact, allowing you to showcase your successes, attract further support, and refine your strategies for even greater outcomes.
Eligibility Criteria
- Organisations interested in applying must meet the following criteria:
- The organisation must be legally registered and operating in one of the target countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Ghana, or Egypt.
- Support social impact enterprises: Actively works with social impact ventures or entrepreneurs tackling pressing social, environmental, or economic challenges, and can demonstrate previous or current impact (e.g., number of ventures supported, jobs created, lives impacted).
- Minimum of 2 years of operation supporting entrepreneurs or small businesses: Proven experience in providing incubation, acceleration, mentorship, training, or venture support services.
- Capacity and commitment: Has a dedicated team and capacity to participate fully in the programme over its duration.
- Language and communication: Ability to communicate effectively in English (programme language).
For more information, visit GrowthAfrica.