Call for Proposals: Build Digital Skills for Women in Underserved Communities (Uganda)

The Uganda Communications Commission, through the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund, is inviting eligible not-for-profit organizations to deliver basic digital, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship training to women in unserved and underserved communities. The six-month initiative aims to train at least 1,250 women across 12 selected districts during Uganda’s 2026/2027 financial year. The grant focuses on basic digital literacy, information and communication technology skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, online safety, fraud awareness, community mentoring, rural inclusion, livelihood development, and responsible use of digital platforms. It prioritizes women involved in informal and micro-enterprises, women’s groups, out-of-school young women aged 18–35, and women with disabilities where training is accessible. The programme seeks to reduce the digital divide affecting women in marginalized communities across Uganda. It will equip participants with practical digital, financial, and entrepreneurship skills that can support personal empowerment, social participation, enterprise development, and improved livelihoods. Training should enable women to use digital tools and services confidently, safely, and productively.

The initiative aims to:

Applicants must be not-for-profit organizations legally established in Uganda.

Applications may be submitted by:

Applicants must demonstrate the legal, technical, organizational, and operational capacity required to manage the project. Applicants must have at least three years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: Organizations must also demonstrate a successful record of working in rural communities. Eligible applicants should demonstrate the ability to: Organizations applying as a consortium should clearly define the responsibilities of each member. The initiative primarily targets women living in unserved and underserved communities, including: Applicants should explain how they will identify, mobilize, and support eligible participants. The programme covers three principal learning areas. Digital literacy may include practical use of digital devices, digital services, communication tools, and online platforms. Financial literacy should help participants strengthen their understanding of money management and the financial aspects of personal or business activities. Entrepreneurship training should support women seeking to establish, manage, or strengthen income-generating activities and micro-enterprises. Training should be practical, locally relevant, and appropriate for participants’ existing skills and livelihood needs. The programme promotes safe and responsible participation in digital environments.

Training should help participants:

Applicants should integrate online safety throughout the training rather than treating it as an isolated topic. The programme emphasizes a Trainer of Trainers approach to strengthen local ownership and sustainability.

Selected trainers should be prepared to:

The model is intended to establish locally available skills and reduce dependence on external trainers. High-performing participants may be supported to become community digital literacy mentors.

These mentors can help:

Applicants should explain how potential mentors will be identified, prepared, and supported. The implementation period is six months from the date on which the grant agreement is signed. All activities must be conducted within the 2026/2027 financial year. Applicants should prepare a realistic work plan covering mobilization, trainer preparation, participant training, mentorship, monitoring, and reporting. Women in underserved communities may face barriers to accessing digital devices, online services, financial information, business tools, and skills training. Combining digital literacy with financial and entrepreneurship education can help participants use technology for practical livelihood and community needs. The Trainer of Trainers and community mentor models can extend the programme’s benefits by building local capacity that remains available after the initial project period.

Applicants should follow these steps:

The funding amount, names of the 12 selected districts, application deadline, submission address, and required documents are not included in the provided information. Applicants should verify these details in the official call documents. Who can apply for the grant? Legally established not-for-profit organizations in Uganda may apply individually or as part of a consortium. How much experience must an applicant have? Applicants must demonstrate at least three years of relevant experience in digital literacy, ICT for development, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship training, or community mobilization. How many women will the programme train? The initiative aims to train at least 1,250 women across 12 selected unserved and underserved districts. Who are the priority beneficiaries? Priority beneficiaries include women involved in informal or micro-enterprises, members of women’s groups, out-of-school young women aged 18–35, and women with disabilities where participation is accessible. How long will the project run? The project will run for six months from the date of agreement signing and must be implemented within the 2026/2027 financial year. What skills will participants receive? Participants will receive practical training in basic digital literacy, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, online safety, and fraud awareness. What is the Trainer of Trainers model? The model prepares local trainers to deliver instruction in relevant languages, provide mentorship, and strengthen the sustainability of community digital learning. The UCC/UCUSAF grant will support Ugandan not-for-profit organizations in equipping at least 1,250 women with practical digital, financial, entrepreneurship, and online-safety skills. Strong applicants should demonstrate extensive