POWER

POWER (Providing Opportunities for Women in Entrepreneurship & Reproductive Health), is a new start-up accelerator project, which was first implemented in Uganda by Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) in collaboration with our partner, Action 4 Health Uganda (A4HU). POWER is a transformative initiative that aims to empower women entrepreneurs (18-30 years) and foster the creation of innovative businesses that will positively influence the supply and demand of family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights (FP/SRHR) information, services, and products. By focusing on the intersection of entrepreneurship and start-up growth, reproductive health, and technology, the project has achieved remarkable success during its pilot phase and has ambitious plans for further expansion into 2025.

Shane O’Halloran

POWER in Uganda

POWER is an accelerator project that was first implemented in Uganda (2022/3) by Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) in collaboration with our partner Action 4 Health Uganda (A4HU). POWER is a transformative initiative that aims to empower women entrepreneurs (18-30 years) and drive sustainable development in Uganda. By focusing on the intersection of entrepreneurship and start-up growth, reproductive health and technology, the project has achieved remarkable success in its pilot phase and has ambitious plans for further expansion.

In the pilot phase of POWER, twelve exceptional female entrepreneurs successfully completed a comprehensive accelerator programme at the Bonita Training Centre in Uganda. Through intensive training, mentoring and networking opportunities, these women have developed innovative business ideas and successfully launched start-ups in the field of family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights (FP/SRHR). Not only have they become economically empowered, but they have also created jobs, helping to reduce unemployment in Uganda.

Building on this success, the POWER project has ambitious plans for expansion. From October 2023, DSW and A4HU have hired a dedicated social entrepreneurship manager to unlock new potential in this area. Together, we have developed a new model that further integrates our large youth network, youth clubs and Youth Empowerment Centres (YECs).

POWER in Tanzania

From 2024, POWER is now also in Tanzania! Building on the incredible success of POWER in Uganda, DSW will continue to empower female entrepreneurs by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and resources necessary to launch FP/SRHR start-ups.

Our comprehensive approach includes not only basic business training, but also mentoring/coaching, leadership development and networking opportunities that are critical to their success. This mission also aligns with Tanzania’s Vision 2025, which addresses key socio-economic and health challenges. The start-ups that emerge from this programme can contribute to increasing the availability of innovative products, services and information in the field of FP/SRHR. In addition, new approaches such as young women’s roundtables, i.e. spaces for women in business to network and engage in open dialogue, and the involvement of the formal and informal sectors will be pursued. All training will take place either in person at the DSW Tanzania’s Training Centre or online.

As in Uganda, POWER is expected to lead to the emergence of new, innovative business solutions that effectively address critical FP/SRHR issues, contributing to better access for young people and more informed decision-making.
To improve the sustainability of the programme, DSW has committed to integrating the initiative into DSW Tanzania’s youth clubs (YCs) and youth work.