GULU, NORTHERN UGANDA – Entrepreneurship, particularly in dynamic environments like Northern Uganda, demands flexibility and keen problem-solving. This past week has seen a significant and inspiring development within RFW’s Academy for Social Transformation (AST) pilot program here in Gulu.
Following the initial training phase where participants began exploring potential ventures, the group focusing on fuel briquettes encountered practical challenges during their deeper feasibility analysis. Issues surrounding the initial cost and potential complexity of necessary machinery for a pilot venture became apparent.
However, this is where the strength of the community-led model and the core principles of the AST training truly shine. Rather than seeing this as a setback, the group drew upon the skills cultivated in the Academy, specifically collaborative problem analysis and grounded decision-making. They proactively re-evaluated pressing community needs based on their own lived experiences. A clear issue emerged: the significant time and expense local families face traveling up to 5 kilometers simply to mill their maize, a vital dietary staple.
Consequently, the group has made a collective and informed decision to pivot their entrepreneurial focus. They are now channeling their energy and planning towards establishing a local maize milling business. It’s crucial to note that the underlying principle guiding their work remains unchanged: creating a sustainable enterprise that directly addresses a tangible community problem. This pivot isn’t a failure of the first idea, but rather a powerful demonstration of the group’s agency, adaptability, and the resilient problem-solving capacity fostered through the AST process. RFW facilitators are supporting the group as they now develop the business plan for this promising new venture.
