By BigEyeUg Team
The Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women (GROW) Project continues to provide support to women entrepreneurs across Uganda through access to entrepreneurial services and business development opportunities.
The GROW Project was launched in March 2023 by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as a government initiative funded by a grant from the International Development Association of the World Bank.
The project aims to increase access to entrepreneurial services that help women grow their enterprises.
It also focuses on supporting refugee women and women living in host districts.
According to the project guidelines, GROW was designed to address several challenges that have continued to limit the growth of women-owned businesses.
These include inadequate business management skills, lack of access to affordable capital, limited access to common user manufacturing infrastructure, and negative social norms that affect women’s participation in business.
The project targets women operating in priority sectors that are considered important for economic growth and job creation.
These sectors include agribusiness, science and technology, services, manufacturing, and construction.
Through these sectors, the project seeks to empower women with the skills, support, and opportunities needed to expand their businesses and improve household incomes.
However, project officials have clarified that not every type of business qualifies for funding under the GROW Project.
The initiative aims to ensure that all supported businesses are safe, legal, and beneficial to communities and the environment.
Because of this, the project does not finance businesses or activities that may harm people, communities, land, cultural heritage sites, or the environment.
Examples of excluded activities include unsustainable forestry practices, the use or trade of harmful chemicals, and gambling-related businesses.
Officials say the restrictions are intended to ensure that the project promotes responsible and sustainable economic growth while protecting communities and natural resources.
We will keep you posted.