A total of 200 women and leaders from Bunyangabu district have been oriented on the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises Project (GROW).

During the event that was held from the district council chambers, women and leaders received general information about the project and the opportunities available.

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon Peace Regis Mutuuzo, who graced the event encouraged women in the district to embrace the project, saying it is aimed at empowering them financially and seeing their businesses grow.

Hon Twinomuhwezi Alex, the Deputy LCV chairperson, graced the occassion.

According to the GROW Project Focal Person in the district, Agnes Nyangoma, this inception meeting was part of the many engagements that they intend to have with women before the funds can be made accessible to them.

“Currently, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development is still engaging partners like the banks that will be used, URA on those who will require TIN registration, URSB for business registration, and others,” Nyangoma explained.

Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Develoment, Hon Peace Mutuuzo, with the Assistant RDC.

On the eligibility, the focal person also explained to the participants that the project is strictly going to support businesses that are women-led and already in existence.

She said that once time is due, mobilization of women will be done, and applicants assessed to ascertain their eligibility to access the funds. The participants appreciated the orientation, saying it equipped them with the information about the project and promised to fully take part in it once it is fully rolled out.

Secretary for Works, Natural Resources and Production Hon. Amon Rutenta 

ABOUT THE GROW PROJECT

GROW project is a Government of Uganda initiative that arose out of the need to respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses, sustain their self-employment and create more jobs.

The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to increase access to entrepreneurial services that enable female entrepreneurs to grow their enterprises in targeted locations, including in refugee-hosting districts (RHDs).

The project, which is worth USD 217 million is financed by the International Development Association (IDA) and the implementing agencies are Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).

COMPONENTS

The Project has four components:

Component1 ($42 million)

Support for Women Empowerment and Enterprise Development Services, including in host and refugee communities. This will provide enterprise development services for women through training (technical, life-skills, digital), business advisory services, and enhanced networks for women through platforms that facilitate market linkages and value chain development and seek to change negative social norms that prevent women from engaging in business activities.

The trainings will be implemented in coordination with Makerere University Business school.

Component 2 ($90 million)

Access to Finance for Women Entrepreneurs, to support the transition from micro enterprises to small and from small to medium enterprises. This component will also address the key constraint of access to finance for women entrepreneurs to expand their business.

Component 3 ($70 million)

Enabling Infrastructure and Facilities for Women Enterprise Growth and Transition, including common- user and childcare facilities to ensure that women have access to supportive economic and social infrastructure.

Component 4 ($15 million)

Program Management Support, Policy Innovation, and Evidence Generation. This will support project management, policy innovation, and evidence generation.

An estimated 1.6 million people in 146 districts will benefit from the project.