UCC/UCUSAF Grant for ICT Circular Economy and E-Waste Ecosystems Project (Uganda)

Deadline: 04-Sep-26

The UCC/UCUSAF Grant for ICT Circular Economy and E-Waste Ecosystems supports a 12-month intervention to strengthen Uganda’s information and communication technology (ICT) e-waste value chain. The programme seeks to create structured, safe, traceable, and sustainable circular economy systems by connecting informal ICT repair and e-waste actors with formal collection and treatment networks. What Is the UCC/UCUSAF ICT Circular Economy and E-Waste Grant? The grant is designed to address growing challenges associated with the management of discarded ICT equipment in Uganda. The initiative focuses on developing a more organized and responsible ICT e-waste management ecosystem. It seeks to improve how electronic devices are repaired, refurbished, collected, reused, recycled, and ultimately treated at the end of their useful life. A major component is the integration of informal-sector participants into formal systems.

These participants may include:

- ICT repairers. - Refurbishers. - E-waste collectors. - Waste entrepreneurs. - Second-hand device dealers. - Youth involved in ICT repair and recycling activities. By strengthening connections between informal actors and formal collection and treatment systems, the project aims to improve environmental protection, occupational safety, livelihoods, and traceability. What Are the Main Objectives? The project has several interconnected objectives designed to strengthen Uganda’s ICT circular economy. Map and Profile ICT E-Waste Actors The implementing partner will help identify and profile key participants in Uganda’s ICT repair, refurbishment, collection, reuse, and e-waste ecosystem. This mapping can provide information about: - Where ICT repairers and collectors operate. - Types of services they provide. - Existing collection and treatment practices. - Informal-sector capacity. - Skills and training requirements. - Opportunities for formal integration. Assess ICT Equipment Lifecycle Management The project will assess how ICT equipment supported through UCUSAF programmes in schools is managed throughout its lifecycle.

This includes examining how equipment is:

- Acquired. - Used. - Maintained. - Repaired. - Refurbished. - Reused. - Collected at end of life. - Handled as e-waste. The assessment can help identify gaps and opportunities for more sustainable ICT asset management. Establish Model Circular Economy Ecosystems The initiative aims to establish or strengthen model ecosystems demonstrating how ICT equipment can remain within productive use for longer periods.

Circular economy approaches may include:

- Repair. - Maintenance. - Refurbishment. - Reuse. - Responsible collection. - Recovery of valuable materials. - Safe treatment of end-of-life equipment. Build Youth Skills and Livelihoods The programme also focuses on practical skills development and livelihood opportunities. Young people and informal-sector participants may benefit from improved capabilities in areas such as: - ICT repair. - Device refurbishment. - Safe e-waste handling. - Collection and sorting. - Digital recordkeeping. - Circular economy practices. - Occupational health and safety. Why Does ICT E-Waste Management Matter? Improper handling of electronic waste can create environmental and occupational health risks while also causing potentially valuable materials to be lost from the productive economy. A structured circular economy approach can help Uganda: - Reduce unsafe e-waste handling. - Improve environmental management. - Extend the useful life of ICT equipment. - Support repair and refurbishment businesses. - Create youth livelihood opportunities. - Improve occupational health and safety. - Strengthen formal recycling and treatment systems. - Improve traceability of ICT equipment. - Increase responsible public participation in e-waste management. The programme therefore connects environmental sustainability, digital technology, skills development, livelihoods, and circular economy development. Who Is Eligible? The grant is open to legally registered entities in Uganda.

Applicants may apply:

- As a single organization. - As part of a consortium led by a Ugandan entity. Applicants must demonstrate the organizational capacity required to manage and deliver a 12-month intervention.

Key eligibility areas include:

- Legal registration in Uganda. - Financial health. - Strong governance systems. - Effective management structures. - Relevant technical experience. - Ability to monitor and report project activities. - Capacity to maintain verifiable project records. What Experience Must Applicants Demonstrate? Applicants should have relevant experience in several areas connected to ICT circular economy and e-waste management.

Relevant experience may include:

- E-waste management. - Environmental management. - ICT repair. - ICT refurbishment. - Youth skills development. - Digital systems. - Community engagement. - Stakeholder mobilization. - Capacity building. - Occupational health and safety. - Digital platform development. Applicants must also provide at least two reference letters or completion certificates demonstrating experience in comparable assignments. What Activities Can the Grant Support? The supported intervention is expected to contribute to the development of a structured ICT e-waste ecosystem.

Potential activities include:

- Mapping ICT repair and e-waste actors. - Profiling informal-sector participants. - Assessing ICT equipment lifecycle practices. - Developing model circular economy ecosystems. - Training youth and informal workers. - Strengthening occupational health and safety practices. - Improving e-waste collection systems. - Connecting informal actors with formal treatment networks. - Developing digital traceability systems. - Improving e-waste data reporting. - Providing trusted public information. - Supporting stakeholder coordination. - Monitoring and documenting project outcomes. The precise activities and geographical coverage will be fi