SEED brings BDS advisors together to share experiences and increase mutual collaboration, allowing for the ecosystem and practitioner community to grow and mature.

Read on to find out more about the opportunities SEED ToTs bring to BDS providers, and why we think our tools and training are a good fit for that market.

Uganda’s small and medium enterprises play a significant role in the country’s economy, generating over 80% of the manufacturing output and contributing to 20% of the country's GDP.  Thus, entrepreneurship furthers employment opportunities, with Ugandan SMEs employing 2.5 million Ugandans.

Environmental awareness among Ugandans is on the rise as they witness more frequent environmental challenges (e.g. floods). Unsurprisingly therefore, climate change is part of the government's agenda and included in the National Development Plan, which along the country’s vision 2040 “already recognise that addressing the challenges of climate change is key to enhancing sustainable economic and social development”, as stated in the country’s National Climate Change Policy.   

Very encouragingly, there are many Ugandan enterprises that work on creating jobs and at the same time, positive impact for the environment. They are active in agriculture, tourism, energy and manufacturing, where they are tapping into a growing market for green products and services, highly encouraged by the country’s Green Growth Development Strategy. Edirisa Sembatya, managing director at Finding XY, witnesses how every day, more entrepreneurs are bringing a new perspective and new opportunities to address environmental challenges and how they are increasing their presence in different sectors including agriculture, tourism, energy and manufacturing. He also shares that every day, more mainstream SMEs are improving their practices for the benefit of the environment.

It is relatively easy to come up with the idea, but how to structure a business after the product and how to design a business model that works is harder.
- Edirisa Sembatya, Finding XY

But for these entrepreneurs with great ideas, making it a business can prove challenging. As Mr. Sembatya shares with us, “it is relatively easy to come up with the idea, but how to structure a business after the product and how to design a business model that works is harder". The chances for enterprises to survive in the long term are hindered by lack of access to quality training to develop their business models. 

Even though BDS opportunities exist, many Uganda BDS advisors often don’t have a wholistic skillset, or lack the appropriate tools and training altogether. The highly competitive field of BDS services ends up affecting the entrepreneurs who can’t access quality training. 

This is exacerbated by BDS providers and enterprises facing financial challenges. Enterprises lack financial resources to access training, while BDS advisors often can not be paid by the enterprises and rely on grants.

So, what does SEED offer?

1. Quality training that ensures quality results

SEED provides tools that help grow a business, that are practical, visual and readily applicable. Building on ten years of experience, we know our enterprises can obtain tangible results after training. 

The methodology allows for group discussions, motivating collaboration and gaining new inputs and perspectives that complement and improve the BDS advisors’ services. SEED’s ToTs secure quality by guiding service providers and supporting them to create and scale a business regardless of the background they have.

2. Intervening where it is most needed

The toolkit helps enterprises beyond just the idea stage. By the end of a training participants can develop a more precise and concise business plan. This allows SMEs to achieve immediate - as well as long-term results. 

The toolkit focuses on enterprises with green products and services, much needed in Uganda to develop solutions to adapt to changing and challenging environmental conditions, as well as to prevent further environmental damages. 

3. Tapping into SEED opportunities and creating a community of practice on BDS

SEED brings BDS advisors together to share experiences and increase collaboration. This allows for the ecosystem and practitioner community to grow and mature in their country.

Furthermore, BDS providers expand their networks, gain recognition in their immediate network and ecosystem and improve their chances of expanding their customer base and thus their income. BDS advisors are eligible, post training, to win contracts to support SEED selected enterprises, thus becoming part of the ecosystem and aiding in the development of eco-inclusive enterprises.

Learn more about our BDS+ Training of Trainers here.