Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

The Creative Horizons Initiative empowers unemployed youth with training in graphic design, photography, and video production, fostering creativity, enhancing skills, and enabling sustainable careers in digital arts.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

The Creative Horizons Initiative aims to empower unemployed youth by providing them with comprehensive training and opportunities in graphic design, photography, and video production. The project offers a structured curriculum that includes hands-on workshops, mentorship from industry professionals, and access to state-of-the-art equipment and software. Participants will learn essential skills, from basic design principles and photography techniques to advanced video editing and production. In addition to technical training, the initiative focuses on fostering creativity, encouraging innovation, and developing entrepreneurial skills. Graduates will receive support in building their portfolios, gaining freelance work, and connecting with potential employers. By bridging the gap between education and employment, Creative Horizons Initiative seeks to create sustainable career paths in the digital arts, ultimately reducing youth unemployment and contributing to the creative economy.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem Creative Horizons Initiative aims to solve is the high unemployment rate among youth by equipping them with marketable skills in graphic design, photography, and video production. Many young individuals face barriers to employment due to a lack of relevant experience, training, and access to professional networks. This initiative addresses these issues by providing comprehensive, hands-on training and mentorship, fostering both technical and creative abilities. Additionally, it aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by helping participants build strong portfolios, gain freelance opportunities, and connect with potential employers. Ultimately, the project seeks to reduce youth unemployment and support sustainable career development in the digital arts sector.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

The Creative Horizons Initiative offers several major benefits: 1. Skill Development: Participants gain in-demand skills in graphic design, photography, and video production through hands-on training and expert mentorship, enhancing their employability in the digital arts industry. 2. Career Opportunities: The initiative provides support in building professional portfolios, obtaining freelance work, and connecting with potential employers, facilitating entry into the job market and sustainable career growth. 3. Creative Empowerment: By fostering creativity and encouraging innovation, the program helps youth develop not only technical expertise but also entrepreneurial skills, enabling them to pursue diverse career paths and contribute to the creative economy.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The Creative Horizons Initiative is aimed at serving unemployed youth, particularly those aged 18-30, who are interested in pursuing careers in graphic design, photography, and video production. The targeted beneficiaries are young individuals who face barriers to employment due to a lack of relevant skills, experience, and access to professional networks. This includes recent graduates, school dropouts, and those from underprivileged backgrounds who have limited opportunities for career advancement. By providing comprehensive training, mentorship, and support, the initiative seeks to empower these young people, enhance their employability, and create sustainable career paths in the digital arts sector.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2020-11-24

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

4

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Founder: The founder is a trained agriculturalist with extensive youth empowerment experience and photography skills from working with a photography firm, combining expertise in agriculture and digital arts to leading youth-focused initiatives. Co-Founder: The co-founder, also a trained agriculturalist, has skills in photography, graphic design, and printing from his role as a documentation officer, providing a solid foundation for managing training programs. Youth Coordinator: A social sciences graduate with extensive youth empowerment experience through volunteering, skilled in project management and youth engagement. Financial Expert: A banking and development finance graduate with media experience, combining financial and media skills to manage financial aspects and contribute to media activities.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://lahgraphics.com/

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

The Creative Horizons Initiative contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty) by empowering unemployed youth with skills in graphic design, photography, and video production, leading to sustainable employment. The project offers comprehensive training and mentorship, enabling young individuals to secure well-paying jobs or start their own businesses. This economic empowerment helps lift them out of poverty and fosters financial independence. Additionally, the initiative promotes job creation by encouraging entrepreneurship, and provides access to state-of-the-art resources, removing barriers for disadvantaged youth. By focusing on practical, industry-relevant skills, the project ensures long-term employment and career stability, reducing the risk of poverty.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

2

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The project enhances access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities by offering comprehensive training in graphic design, photography, and video production, empowering youth with relevant skills for the workforce.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The Creative Horizons Initiative contributes to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by ensuring equal access to training and opportunities in graphic design, photography, and video production for all genders. The project promotes gender parity by actively recruiting participants from all genders, developing a gender-sensitive curriculum, and creating a safe, inclusive learning environment. It provides mentorship and showcases diverse role models, includes training on gender equality, and raises awareness about the importance of gender parity. Regular monitoring and evaluation ensures the program addresses any disparities or barriers. These efforts empower individuals of all genders to thrive in the digital arts industry, promoting gender equality and reducing discrimination.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

By providing training and creating employment opportunities in the digital arts sector, the initiative supports the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The initiative fosters innovation and promotes the growth of industry, particularly in the digital arts sector, by equipping young individuals with the skills needed to contribute to technological advancement and economic development.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The Creative Horizons Initiative aims to reduce inequalities by providing equal access to training and employment opportunities, particularly for disadvantaged youth who may face barriers to entering the creative industry.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

5

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

3

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

2

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

5

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

4

05.08 Justification

The Creative Horizons Initiative is uniquely targeted at unemployed youth, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, filling a critical gap in existing market offerings. The initiative provides a comprehensive approach with technical skills training, mentorship, portfolio development, and career placement support, ensuring participants are well-prepared for the job market. By combining graphic design, photography, and video production training, it offers a versatile skill set, increasing employability and adaptability. It addresses high youth unemployment rates by offering pathways to sustainable careers in digital arts, meeting unmet demand. This initiative ensures inclusivity with affordable, locally accessible training for all genders and backgrounds. Using modern technology and industry practices, it modernizes traditional vocational training, integrating local values and cultural elements to be relevant and respectful of the community.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

The Creative Horizons Initiative's main competitors include local training centers, online platforms like Coursera and Udemy, and government and NGO programs. These often lack the comprehensive support, personalized mentorship, and direct career placement our initiative offers, and may not focus specifically on disadvantaged youth or the digital arts. What sets the Creative Horizons Initiative apart is its targeted focus on unemployed youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, a comprehensive approach with technical training, mentorship, portfolio development, and career placement, and integrated training in graphic design, photography, and video production. The initiative is inclusive, affordable, and locally accessible, using modern tools and incorporating local values and customs. Open communication and community feedback ensure alignment with local needs, making it a uniquely impactful solution to youth unemployment in the digital arts sector.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes, the Creative Horizons Initiative can promote female entrepreneurs by organizing female-focused workshops on digital skills and entrepreneurship, connecting participants with successful female mentors, and hosting networking events to share experiences and success stories. We can provide scholarships or micro-grants for female participants, highlight their achievements through visibility campaigns, and ensure our curriculum addresses the unique challenges faced by women in entrepreneurship. These actions will empower and inspire more women to pursue entrepreneurship in the digital arts, fostering a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem.