Empowering Youth Through Agribusiness Incubation in Uganda
From October 28 to November 8, 2025, Cordaid, CINOP and Rikolto are launching a new entrepreneurship and incubation training project in the West Nile region of Uganda. This initiative, part of the Erasmus+ SASA VET Uganda project, strengthens the role of vocational education in youth entrepreneurship and local economic development.
The incubation project gives students hands-on experience in developing, testing and pitching business ideas that address real community needs. It focuses on promising sectors such as horticulture, cassava, poultry and maize, identified as high-potential areas for youth-led agribusiness.
Practical and collaborative learning
During a four-day Training of Trainers, CINOP and Rikolto work with local vocational institutes to design and plan incubation activities. Trainers explore market opportunities, use design thinking and practice ideation, prototyping and pitching techniques.
After the training, institutes in Arua, Koboko, Yumbe guide their students through an incubation trajectory, leading up to an “Opportunity Fair” where business ideas are pitched to local stakeholders.
Strengthening local ecosystems
Beyond building entrepreneurial skills, the program connects youth with entrepreneurs, microfinance actors and community leaders, linking ideas to real-world opportunities. Promising business teams will receive mentorship and seed funding to help them grow. “We believe vocational education can empower young people to become changemakers in their local economies,” says Willem Kleinendorst, Project Lead at CINOP.
This initiative reflects CINOP’s mission to make education more inclusive, practical and future-oriented, equipping young people to shape their future and drive sustainable local development.
