Our Work
We mentor youths for employment and meaningful engagement in environmental sustainability action
Research
STEPUP engages youths in research on
- Climate Change
- Renewable Energy
- Agroecology
Co-Monitoring the Effectiveness of CSA-TIMPS with Youths
STEPUP is coordinating a national research team composed of consultants, academia, NGOs and departmental agencies, in assessing whether (and if so, to what extent) climate-smart agriculture technologies, innovations management practices and strategies (CSA-TIMPS) implemented over the last 10-15 years are satisfactory in delivering climate resilience indicators that users care about. The team will also assess the methods of CSA-TIMPS development and transfer to gain a deeper understanding of its influence on the effectiveness. Our preliminary commodity focus is on sorghum, millet, cassava and coffee in the locations of Bukedea, Amuria, Luweero, Kiboga.
The aim of the study is to build understanding of aspects of CSA-TIMPS that work as well as those that need improvement, and present new opportunities in order to inform policy, business and household decisions. It will engage youths in monitoring CSA-TIMPS with the aim of building their knowledge and attitudes towards CSA.
Youths and Arts for Agroecological Food Systems (YOUFS) Project
Through their existing platforms, the Uganda Women Writers Association (FEMRITE) and STEPUP are engaging young people in arts-based approaches, including poetry and essay writing, music, dialogues, and online campaigns, to inspire interest in agroecological food systems transformation and to empower them to influence their peers and communities. This youth-focused project seeks to catalyse young people’s engagement in sustainable agrifood systems. According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census by UBOS, Uganda is an agriculture-based economy with young people comprising 22.7% of the total population. This presents a significant opportunity to intentionally involve youth in a sector that has traditionally lacked youth-inclusive approaches, despite their critical role as drivers of innovation and change.
Capacity Building for Socially Just and Sustainable Energy Transitions
The Energy and Petroleum (EnPe) Programme provided financial support to Masters and PhD students to complete their studies in renewable and non-renewable energy, at several institutions within the partner countries. Towards the end of the EnPe programme (2019-2020), due to changes in the global energy market and subsequent changes in the energy labour market driven by current emphasis on renewable energy as a potential climate change mitigation strategy, there were anecdotal claims of loss of jobs especially among petroleum graduates. The tracer study was intended to contribute empirical data on these claims by conducting background document review, designing and implementing a survey to determine the employment status and skills gaps of EnPE graduates; designing and delivering a tailor-made course in professional self-marketing, including training, mentorship and apprenticeship attachments; evaluating trainees and setting up an online platform for networking among trainees, mentors and various internship host organisations.
Technology Needs Assessment for Uganda's Climate Adaptation
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is running a worldwide project, termed Technology Needs Assessment (TNA), where governments prioritise sectors, for which they identify appropriate technologies to use to adapt to or mitigate climate change. Stakeholders in Uganda identified water, agriculture, forestry and energy. We are facilitating the assessment of technologies that address Uganda’s climate adaptation needs in the agriculture and water sectors. This project is implemented by the UNEP DTU partnership, Denmark and coordinated by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST). The government of Uganda will write proposals at the end of this project, to seek support in implementing these technologies.
Technology, Markets and Investment for Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Development
Uganda prioritized Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting (RRWH) as one of the key technologies for adaptation to climate change under the Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) project supported by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Danish University of Technology (UNEP-DTU), which was led by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology.
On recommendations from the TNA project, STEPUP worked on a DANIDA supported project called TEMARIN (Technology, Markets and Investment for low carbon and climate resilient development) to accelerate market deployment of RRWH in Uganda. Under this project, strengthening of private sector engagement was prioritised as a way of catalysing RRWH technology deployment. Through three consultative meetings with stakeholders including market actors, government, NGO, research and academia, various actions for strengthening private sector engagement in RRWH technology deployment were considered and barriers to their implementation analysed. The following were prioritised for implementation during the project period.
- Formation of a market-led multi-actor Alliance for deployment of RRWH technology
- Raising awareness on RRWH technology for climate change adaptation
- Building on previous/ongoing initiatives on deployment of RRWH technology
- Mobilising private companies to co-invest in deployment of RRWH technology
Training
STEPUP mentors youths through apprenticeship training on environmental sustainability in development actions
Courses
Professional communication
Professional communication
Propelling the individual and their organisation towards:
a) Professional writing, communication and presentation
b) Relationship building and partnerships
Environment Monitoring
Environment Monitoring
Skilling young people in environmental and sustainable development to:
a) Take measurements and build evidence
b) Track changes in environmental sustainability indicators resulting from environmental actions by different entities.
Project management
Project management for for environmental sustainability
Aimed at:
a) Producing job creators
b) Project conceptualization, design and implementation
c) Enabling project proposal pitching for partnerships and funding.
Professional Self Marketing
Professional Self Marketing
Soft skills for job seekers and career growth in:
a) Job search, CV and application writing
b) Self presentation
c) Proactive self knowledge update
d) Resource mobilisation and management
ANNUAL ESSAY COMPETITIONS
The Annual Essay Competitions were conceptualized in 2020.
Aim: interesting secondary school students in environmental sustainability.
What we’ve observed: Healthy competition motivates learning in schools where club patrons work with students to utilise school libraries, computer labs and general enquiries to research on the topic. Our coverage: Growing beyond the Central Region as resources allow.
Networking
Establishing and strengthening partnerships in;
- Climate change adaptation
- Renewable Energy
- Rainwater Harvesting
- Apprenticeship
MWHIL- Mvua Water Harvesting Initiative Limited
A multi stakeholder alliance in water harvesting for climate change adaptation:
- Research
- Technology deployment
STEPUP together
An initiative that seeks to effect community-driven impact, through problem identification visits, research, solution brainstorms, resource mobilisation and intervention.
Youth bubble
- Young people supporting busy professionals with their work load.
- Busy professionals mentoring young people.
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