Total Launches Start Upper Challenge for the youth

In 2012 , a year after I left school, I was still  jobless, so I sat home and whined about it in a blog I posted http://lubwa.blogspot.ug/2014/10/the-world-of-unemployed-24year-old.html . I am certain; I was not the only person who was stranded at home after going to the hill with the Ivory TOWER. In fact, youth unemployment that year was at 62% in 2013 according to a study titled; “Lost Opportunity?”  Compiled by Action Aid International Uganda (AAIU), Uganda National NGO Forum and Development Research and Training (DRT).  I am currently happily employed, but year upon year graduates pile up on the streets looking for decent employment and for some others; an opportunity for an investor to look into their projects and invest in them.

Well, the good news is we have the investor now in Total Uganda.   On November 3rd, 2015   Total launched an  innovation challenge worth 130m. The “Start Upper Challenge of the year” is meant to support innovative projects in the country.

At the Launch  Managing Director Total Uganda  Mr. Florentin de Loppinot  said  the challenge  is  aimed at  identifying , rewarding  and supporting  the best projects  in enterprise creation and development  in the country. Asked why the aged limit were 35years Mr. Florentin said the youth are the persons vital in realizing the social economic development of this country.

About the challenge

The challenge is open to any Ugandan citizen aged 35yrs and below( perfectly targeting the youth of this country), but that’s not all. The contest  is also happening  in 33  other  countries  across Africa simultaneously.

The projects to be entered in the competition have to be 2 years old or less.

Application process is already underway and available on the website https://startupper.total.com/en/challenges/startuppers .

The deadline for application is 31^st January 2016.

A jury of professionals who will be unveiled on Friday November 6, 2015 at Sheraton Hotel Kampala, will preselect up to ten best projects based on their innovation, originality, development potential, and capacity to improve economic standards of the immediate community.

Final selection of projects will end by March 15^th, 2016 and thereafter finalists will be published on the website.

The final three winning projects will be selected out of the pool of the top 10 and results of those walking away with 130million Uganda shillings will be announced at an awards ceremony.

So with 130million up for grabs for your project, just run already to the website and apply, apply, apply. And spread the message too. If we have been given a chance to create jobs with these projects, let’s take it.  I too will be applying; I mean I also want the title and responsibility of being an employer.
Follow the hashtag #TotalStartUpper for updates as well..