The Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment and Entrepreneurship (RISE/E) Programme

The Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment and Entrepreneurship (RISE/E) Programme is an empowering initiative funded by Standard Chartered Foundation. This programme aims to empower young people, particularly women and people with disabilities, to become successful entrepreneurs and drive sustainable economic growth.  

Participants will benefit from tailored guidance, enhancing their skills and knowledge through extensive training modules. RISE/E also connects entrepreneurs with support to access funding opportunities and experienced mentors for ongoing support and insights.

The project will be delivered across four countries, centering around the following cities: Ghana (Accra), Uganda(Kampala), Zambia (Lusaka), and Tanzania (Dar es Salaam). 

Project Targets

The RISE/E Programme aims to achieve the following targets across all countries:

• Support 340 Microbusinesses: Providing expert business development advice and supporting those microbusinesses to grow.
• Create 478 Job Opportunities: Through the growth and development of these microbusinesses.
• Promote Entrepreneurial Diversity:  ‍
  
  • 50% entrepreneurs with disabilities.  
  • 50% female-owned businesses.

• Support Green Businesses: Support businesses that address environmental, climatic, or social issues.  
• Promote Inclusive Employment: Advocate for and support the creation of an inclusive workforce.

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Structure and Timelines

Each cohort follows the structure below within 6 months.

1. Recruitment, Diagnostics, Selection, and Orientation  

• ‍Recruitment Phase 1: Online or offline application, followed by selection of applicants to move on to Phase 2. 
• ‍Recruitment Phase 2: Conduct a comprehensive in-person business assessment (diagnostic). Final selection of participants. ‍
• Orientation: Introduction to the programme, its structure and expectations, and presentation of diagnostic results. 

2. Growth Plan Development  

• ‍Growth Plan Development: Collaborate with entrepreneurs to create a customized growth plan addressing identified gaps. ‍
• Training Selection: Entrepreneurs choose at least 4 core business areas for training based on diagnostics and growth plans. 

3. Core Business Area Training  

Duration: 2 - 4 days per month dedicated to each core area. 

Core Areas Include: 

• Business Growth and Sustainability 
• Financial Management and Internal Controls 
• Sales and Marketing
• Organizational Structure and Management 
• Business Planning and Risk Management 
• Mandatory Training: Inclusion training for all participants. 
• Customization: Entrepreneurs attend training aligned with their specific growth plans. 

4. Business Advisory Support (Ongoing) 

• Check-ins: Regular follow-ups based on diagnostics and business needs. 
• Advisory Services: One-on-one tailored advisory support provided.

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What Entrepreneurs Will Gain from the RISE/E Programme 

1. Expert Advice and Mentorship: Entrepreneurs receive tailored business development advice and mentorship from experienced professionals. This guidance helps refine their business models, enhance operational efficiency, and scale their enterprises. 
2. Tailored Growth Plans: Customized business growth plans ensure that each microbusiness can strategically expand, addressing specific challenges and leveraging opportunities unique to its market and context. 
3. Access to Finance: Entrepreneurs will be well-prepared to meet the requirements for accessing loans, grants, and other financial resources, effectively presenting their business to investors and fulfilling any due diligence processes involved. 
4. Market Linkage: The Programme assists businesses in expanding their customer base and boosting their growth potential through training and business advisory support.  
5. Comprehensive Training: Participants receive training in core business areas such as Business Growth and Sustainability, Financial Management and Internal Controls, Sales and Marketing, Organizational Structure and Management, and Business Planning and Risk Management, enhancing their capabilities to run successful enterprises. 
6. Supportive Ecosystem: Entrepreneurs benefit from being part of a support network that includes mentors, peers, and financial institutions, fostering resilience and adaptability in a dynamic market environment.  

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Criteria for Participation

To be eligible, businesses should meet all criteria below and provide evidence:

• You must be between 18 and 35 years old. This extends to 40 for persons with disabilities.
• Your business must have been running for at least 6 to 12 months.
• Your business must be based in or operating from:
  
  • Accra, Ghana.
  • Kampala, Uganda
  • Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  • Lusaka, Zambia

In addition, we would particularly like to encourage applications from:

• Businesses run by a person, or people, with disabilities
• Businesses owned by a woman, or women
• Businesses open to promoting the inclusion of women and people with disabilities.

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RISE/E Application Dates

• Ghana: 30th April to 30th June 2026.
• Uganda: 20th April to 28th June 2026.
• Zambia: 30th April to 26th June 2026
• Tanzania: 5th May to 15th June 2026.  

<<Apply for the RISE/E Programme>>

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Join us on this transformative journey!

If you meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to APPLY for the RISE/E Programme.

Together, we can build a robust foundation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, empowering entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential.

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