Introduction
Introduction
The Federation of Uganda Social Entrepreneurs (FUSE) seeks to amplify the impact of social enterprises across Uganda. This proposal introduces a mobile application, “FUSE Connect,” designed to serve as a digital marketplace where social entrepreneurs can market, sell, and transact business. By leveraging technology, FUSE Connect will enhance visibility, create jobs, and address challenges faced by social enterprises in rural and urban areas, positioning FUSE as a leader in Uganda’s social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Problem Statement
Social enterprises in Uganda, particularly in rural areas, face limited market access, high transaction costs, and low visibility. Urban enterprises struggle with competition and lack platforms to showcase their social impact. Over 70% of Ugandans own mobile phones, yet no unified digital platform exists to connect social entrepreneurs with consumers, hampering growth and sustainability (UBOS, 2022). FUSE can bridge this gap by providing a tailored solution.
Proposed Solution: FUSE Connect App
FUSE Connect will be a user-friendly mobile app that enables social enterprises to:
• Market Products/Services: Create profiles showcasing products, services, and social impact stories (e.g., a rural cooperative selling organic honey can highlight its environmental benefits).
• Sell Directly: Process transactions via integrated mobile money (e.g., MTN Mobile Money) or bank cards, reducing reliance on costly intermediaries.
• Network and Transact: Connect with other enterprises for bulk deals or collaborations (e.g., a Kampala-based textile enterprise partners with a Gulu craft cooperative).
Key features include a multilingual interface (English, Luganda, Swahili), offline functionality for rural areas with poor connectivity, and impact metrics to attract socially conscious buyers.
Impact on Social Enterprises
• Rural Enterprises: FUSE Connect expands market reach beyond local boundaries. For instance, a women’s cooperative in Lira can sell crafts to urban buyers in Kampala, increasing income by up to 30% (based on similar platforms like Jumia). Training modules within the app will teach digital literacy, empowering rural entrepreneurs.
• Urban Enterprises: The app differentiates urban social enterprises by highlighting their social missions, attracting ethical consumers. A Kampala-based recycling startup can gain visibility, competing with traditional businesses.
• Job Creation: By facilitating sales, the app supports hiring. A pilot could create 200–300 direct jobs (e.g., app moderators, delivery agents) and 1,000 indirect jobs (e.g., artisans, farmers) within two years.
• Economic Empowerment: Increased revenue strengthens enterprises, enabling reinvestment in community projects like schools or health clinics. Methodology and Feasibility
• Phase 1 (6 months): Conduct market research with 50 rural and 50 urban social enterprises to identify needs. Partner with a Ugandan tech firm to develop a prototype (probably webster).
• Phase 2 (12 months): Pilot the app with 200 enterprises, offering training on digital onboarding. Integrate mobile money APIs and test offline features.
• Phase 3 (18 months): Scale to 1,000 enterprises, refine based on feedback, and secure partnerships with telecoms (e.g., Airtel) for subsidized data.
Funding will be sought from grants (e.g., UNDP, fundsforNGOs) and FUSE’s budget, with an estimated cost of $3,000 for development and $1,500 for training.
Conclusion
FUSE Connect positions FUSE as a trailblazer, uniting social enterprises on a digital platform that drives sales, visibility, and impact. By empowering rural and urban entrepreneurs, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable growth, the app aligns with FUSE’s mission and Uganda’s development goals.
yes have seen it but i want this process of signing for the petition to be like this, any one who’s going to sign a petition has to first create his or her account with us either by signing in with his or her google account then after logging in that’s when all available petitions displays along with its corresponding image and a brief description with a button at the bottom of it saying get started and when one clicks on it, it opens up the entire information about that petition for them to read and the signing section be at the bottom of it, after signing, the statistics of that petition displays that is to say the total number of people who have already signed, and at the bottom bellow the image and a brief description their is a corosoul of recent signings. the reason as to why we want them to to sign in using their google accounts is that we don’t want anyone to sign more than once and if they try, i want the system to say account already signed, and after signing for the first time, their is an automated message sent to them thanking them for their support. we should also have a database were we keep all those who have signed, (their information).i want it to be more engaging and professional. so how can i achieve that have told you
