Application Now Open for Uganda Business Idea Contest: Innovative Solutions for Refugees and Host Communities
Participation is open to refugees and host community members in Uganda. A wide range of participants are welcome, including established enterprises, students, individuals, or groups with innovative ideas for addressing the social and economic challenges that refugees and host communities face.
Purpose of the Contest
The number of forcibly displaced persons worldwide has exceeded 100 million. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive and inclusive response that engages not only host country governments and development partners but also the private sector and society as a whole. In response to this situation, JICA, in collaboration with the UNHCR Representation in Japan and Welcome Japan, will host the Uganda Business Contest: Innovative Solutions for Refugees and Host Communities.
This contest aims to promote self-reliance and peaceful coexistence of refugees and host community members through business creation that addresses shared social and economic challenges.
Eligible applicants include refugees and members of Ugandan host communities. A wide range of participants are welcome—from established enterprises, students and individuals or groups with innovative ideas for refugees and host communities.
【Contest Overview】
・Contest Theme
Business plans that address social and economic issues through innovative ideas to promote peaceful coexistence and self-reliance of both refugees and/or hosting communities.
・Event Schedule and location (tentative)
One-day event between July 8 and July 10, 2025, in Kampala, Uganda
・Participants
Approximately four selected finalists will be invited to give a presentation in a public pitch contest.
*Travel expenses from within Uganda to the pitch contest in Kampala shall be reimbursed for finalists.
【Awards】
Two winners will be selected: one from each of the refugee and host communities.
1. The winners will receive business implementation support (PoC) worth approx. 12,000,000UGX. (subject to exchange rate)
2. The winners will receive consultant support by Deloitte including mentoring, assistance with business development based on PoC, and business networking support
3. The video presentation of the winners of the Uganda Contest will be presented at the pitch contest in Japan, held at Expo 2025, Osaka, Japan, which will be attended by potential sponsors and investors
Contest Flow
STEP１： Submit application form
Please note that the following steps are required to complete the submission for the contest:
1. Complete the entry form by June 11, 2025: Application form will be sent to registered e-mail address after the entry.
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/MDY6KHUj3H
2. Submit your application form to 【nanminpitch-office@tohmatsu.co.jp】 by June 13.
Note
・All forms and documents must be submitted in English
・It may take more than one business day to receive the form from the organizing team
・Please submit a copy of your Valid ID documentation (refugee ID or national ID) as well.
・Reference materials may be submitted in PDF format at the discretion of the submitter
STEP2： Pre-Selection from June16 - June 23, 2025.
All applications are reviewed, and the selection will be carried.
The organizingteam will inform only the shortlisted applicants of the judges' results by June 23.
STEP3：Pre-Mentoring from June30 - July 4, 2025.
Finalists will receive support to refine their pitches and business ideas. The organizing team will contact finalists with further details.
STEP4：Final Selection (Pitch Contest)
Approximately four finalists—two from the refugee community and two from the host community—will be invited to present at the contest, and one winner from each group will be selected. The contest will be held as one-day event between July 8 and July 10, 2025, in Kampala, Uganda.
*Travel expenses from within Uganda to the pitch contest in Kampala shall be reimbursed for finalists.
STEP5：Consultant support for winners
The winners will receive support from Deloitte, including mentoring, business implementation support (PoC), and business networking opportunities.
Contact Information
JICA Business Idea Contest Organizing Office (Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LCC)
FAQs
Find answers in the FAQ file.
If you still can’t find the answer you are looking for, please contact us.
Notes
・Queries regarding the applications will be available via email from May 19 to June 6
・Queries regarding selection or results will not be entertained
Organizer
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Co-organizer
UNHCR Representation in Japan
Welcome Japan