Empowering young people to shape their own future
In Ghana, there is not a lack of motivation, but a lack of opportunities: many young people have good ideas and drive, but no access to training, networks and capital. This is precisely where our program comes in. It empowers them to set up their own sustainable businesses – with a clear focus on ecological innovation, the circular economy and social impact.
The program is aimed at young women and men in Ghana who have entrepreneurial potential but have not yet had the opportunity to develop it. At our Competence Center for Ecology and Circular Economy in Busua (Western Region), they are given the opportunity to develop their skills in a practical environment and grow into independent social entrepreneurs over the course of two years. The training program combines theory and practice – from business management and project management to ecological production methods and sustainable financing models. The aim is to enable participants to set up their own small businesses and thus create long-term jobs, income and ecological impact in their communities.
Around 30 young Ghanaians per year receive targeted support from the Social Business Incubator and the Social Business Accelerator, developing practical solutions to environmental and economic challenges such as waste management and sanitation issues.
Where ecological practice meets entrepreneurial thinking
Our approach is based on the principle of “learning by doing”. At our competence center in Busua, young people are trained step by step to become independent social entrepreneurs. The program combines practical training with scientifically sound knowledge and is implemented in collaboration with the Roxbourg Institute for Social Entrepreneurship (RISE) in Lausanne. It consists of two successive stages:
Social Business Incubator (SBI) – practice-oriented on-site training with individual support, in which business ideas are fleshed out, legally registered and initial products or services are developed.
Social Business Accelerator (SBA) – a three-month online program from RISE that enables graduates to professionalize their business models and build international networks.
Both programs are closely linked to our projects in the areas of palm oil, mushrooms, composting and biogas – making it possible to experience the circular economy in real-life applications and translate it into economically viable solutions.
Up Development (Switzerland) is responsible for the design, quality assurance and international networking, while OPC Ghana (Obrobibini Peace Complex) implements the program operationally on site. Thanks to close cooperation with research institutions, the latest scientific findings are incorporated directly into the training. After graduation, graduates remain part of an active alumni network that facilitates access to start-up capital and promotes new generations of entrepreneurs.
The result is a growing movement that shows that ecology, business and social responsibility are inextricably linked.
Enabling the future
Your donation empowers young people in Ghana to build sustainable businesses and take their future into their own hands.
Project partners
By working with strong partners, we gain more influence both nationally and internationally to achieve our goals efficiently.
