Social Enterprise Campus Hubs

Apply to establish a student led social enterprise hub at your university. A social enterprise campus hub primarily support students in creating innovative solutions to society’s most pressing social challenges. The hubs equip students with knowledge and skills of starting, building, developing and scaling social enterprises, offering entrepreneurial education, mentoring, networking, and resources.

Learn More Handbook
SSocial Enterprise Fund
● Applications open 24 July

Social Enterprise Fund

Seed funding for early-stage, student-led ideas that turn academic knowledge into measurable social impact — across education, health, environment, agriculture, waste, and youth empowerment.

UGX 500K–5M
Grant per idea
≤ 25 yrs
Applicant age limit
21 Aug
2026 deadline, 11:59PM EAT
About the fund

Backing student entrepreneurship with teeth

The Social Enterprise Fund supports early-stage (ideation) social enterprise ideas that create measurable social impact while generating sustainable revenue. It backs bold, cutting-edge solutions to Uganda's pressing challenges — and ultimately promotes student entrepreneurship that turns academic knowledge into innovative solutions.

?

Who we're looking for

Students who drive social innovation with ambitious goals — who refuse to settle for less, and who don't let setbacks stop them.

How selection works

Our application process

Three phases, July through September — from written application to seed funding disbursed.

Phase I — Application

24 Jul – 26 Aug
  • A series of questions assessing alignment with our funding criteria
  • Full proposal
  • 1 recommendation letter
  • Budget template
Takes approx. 45 min – 1 hr to complete

Phase II — Shortlist & Interview

August
  • Shortlisted applicants are notified
  • Shortlisted applicants attend a 30-minute face-to-face interview

Phase III — Pitching & Winners

September
  • Finalists present their ideas before the selection committee
  • Official announcement of winners
  • Winners share banking details and funds are disbursed
Before you apply

Eligibility criteria

University undergraduate, member of or actively engaged with a FUSE Social Enterprise Campus Hub

Individual or team with an innovative, cutting-edge idea at ideation or early development stage

Demonstrated passion, commitment, and a basic understanding of the target problem and community

Idea shows clear social impact, market potential, and sustainability

Applicant is not older than 25 at the time of applying

Applicant owns and has total control of the business idea

Recommendation/support letter from your campus hub coordinator attached

Behind the scenes

Selection process

Application review

All submissions are screened for innovation, feasibility, and potential impact.

Shortlisting

Successful applicants are invited to interviews and a pitching session.

Pitching & selection

Shortlisted individuals or teams present before a panel of successful social entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and development experts.

Awarding

Top ideas receive seed funding, mentorship, and access to FUSE's network for further growth.

Grant sizeUGX 500,000 – 5,000,000 per selected idea
Ready to apply?

How to apply

STEP 1

Visit socialenterprise.ug

STEP 2

Go to the Social Enterprise Campus Hub section

STEP 3

Fill out the online form and submit a concise concept note plus supporting documents

26 Aug 2026

Deadline — 11:59 PM EAT. Late applications will not be considered. We strongly encourage all eligible students in the Campus Hubs to apply.

Established SE Campus Hub

Event Image

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

Makerere University Social enterprise Campus Hub (Mak-SEH)
Are you a Makerere University student interested in joining the hub?
Fillout this form

Fillout this form
FAQ Section

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

SE Campus Hubs are campus-based centers at Ugandan universities that support students and any other interested individuals in developing and scaling social enterprises. These hubs provide entrepreneurial education, mentoring, networking opportunities, and resources to transform ideas into actionable ventures.

The hubs aim to create a vibrant ecosystem of social entrepreneurship in Uganda by empowering students, university staff, and all interested young innovators to address pressing challenges through innovative, sustainable solutions. FUSE bridges the knowledge gap, equipping youth with the skills, mentorship, and resources to create impactful social enterprises.

All University students, recent graduates, and youth innovators within university communities.

  • Practical experience in social entrepreneurship and consultancy.
  • Skills in business model development, impact measurement, and project management.
  • Access to mentorship from FUSE’s network of social entrepreneurs and experts.
  • Networking opportunities with peers, clients, and potential funders.
  • Chance to create their own social enterprises and reduce reliance on job markets.
  • Meetups for discussions about social challenges and solutions.
  • Innovation challenges to develop and pitch social enterprise ideas.
  • Community outreach projects to test and implement solutions.
  • Consultancy projects for clients such as developing business plans or sustainability strategies.

Applications are open to individuals or teams of university students passionate about social entrepreneurship and able to lead hub activities.

Applicants must fill out the application form and attach their national ID or University ID from a recognized university in Uganda.

Applications are evaluated based on the applicant’s (or team’s) ability to lead the hub, deliver its activities, and provide consultancy services effectively.

Applications can be submitted by individuals or teams.

No, the support letter from a university administrator or community leader is optional, but it strengthens the application by showing institutional support.

Each hub will be student-led, organizing meetups, innovation challenges, and consultancy projects, while submitting quarterly progress reports to FUSE.

Hubs will deliver services like business plan development, sustainability strategies, market research, and impact assessments — guided by FUSE mentors.

  • Lead and manage hub operations.
  • Develop and pitch social enterprise ideas.
  • Deliver consultancy projects for clients.
  • Engage communities and expand impact.
  • Collaborate with other university hubs across Uganda.
  • Facilitation for meetups and engagement costs.
  • Mentorship from social entrepreneurs and experts.
  • Access to training toolkits and resources.
  • Participation in FUSE events and innovation challenges.
  • Continuous guidance to ensure hub success.

FUSE provides facilitation (materials, airtime, snacks, toolkits) and may support strong social enterprise ideas with seed capital or grants from the FUSE Social Enterprise Fund.

Success will be measured by the number of people engaged, social enterprise ideas developed, consultancy projects delivered, and overall social impact achieved.

PSES 2026 August Challenge Click to Learn More