SG+

BACKGROUND

Towards the end of 2018, European Union Delegation (EUD) in Uganda partnered with Private Sector Foundation Uganda to identify & resolve bottlenecks to private sector investments both domestic & European businesses.

Three cross cutting issues i) skills and attitude, ii) anti-corruption & governance and iii) access to finance were prioritized in addition to facilitating trade between Uganda & EU business. Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) is working with Enabel to address the first two identified issues i.e., Skills & attitude (Work Readiness Program) and anti-corruption & governance, that resulted into a pilot project named SG+ project. This partnership aims at addressing and resolving bottlenecks to private sector investments and improving business environment in Uganda

General Objective:

To help make Uganda's business environment more conducive to inclusive and green investments through increasing the supply of qualified workers, establishing private sector led initiatives to fight corruption and strengthening the private-public sector dialogue

PROJECT DESIGN AND TARGETS

The SG+ project has two components that are based on the issues that were identified as hindering factors to the private sector investments and business operations.

COMPONENT 1: SKILLS AND ATTITUDE (WORK READINESS PROGRAM)

The objective is that Graduates entering the labour market are equipped with adequate skills and attitude leading to further productivity of companies.

A Work-Readiness Programme aims to support the graduate during the first months of their transition to full employment. It targets the skills gaps of the graduate as they transition from learning to work. In particular the SG+ project will fund a Ready to Work Graduate Training program targeting 1000 fresh graduates entering the labour market, equipping them with adequate skills and attitudes and placing them in companies for a period of 6 months, leading to further productivity of targeted companies.

A specialized coaching program will complement the on-the-job training for those competences (knowledge, attitude) that are better acquired away from the normal workflow with the support of a specialised coach. The training program will be provided by specially selected training companies at a suitable residential place allowing for concentrated learning, continuous monitoring, regular assessment and timely intervention as needed

Targets:

1000 fresh graduates
Graduates that are not more than 2 years after graduation
Seeking work in targeted sectors (Manufacturing/agro-processing, Construction, Tourism & Hospitality, ICT & digitalization)
250 companies to host and employ fresh graduates (Priority given to PSFU membership)

The placed graduates under WRP will be paid a monthly stipend for a period of 6 months on a cost sharing basis with the host companies. A Group Personal Accident Insurance cover for all placed graduates will be procured for the period of 6 months. Thereafter, the graduates will be under companies’ normal practices as other employees.

COMPONENT 2: ANTI-CORRUPTION & GOVERNANCE (GAC)

The strategic objective for this component is “Practices, evidence-based dialogue and advocacy within the public and private sector are improved to combat corruption’’

Corruption was among the top three investment constraints to the business community identified. This component, therefore, has a holistic approach based on 4 pillars that have the following results:

Result 1: The capacities in e-procurement of private sector companies are enhanced

Result 2: Digitalization and integration to allow for the exchange of data between institutional databases to fight corruption

Result 3: Corporate governance mechanisms are developed and reinforced including through awards

Result 4: Corruption reporting mechanisms are implemented to feed evidence-based advocacy and support the public-private dialogue on corruption