Application Deadline: May 26, 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 GrowthAfrica Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESO) Uplift Programme. 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.
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.
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
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).
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