After the Impact Week 2023 in Uganda’s capital Kampala, Impact Week is now off to new adventures in the serene and picturesque countryside of Uganda! In February 2025, we’re thrilled to partner with SINA (Social Innovation Academy) to give you an unforgettable experience in Mpigi – along with creating impact and innovating on the country’s most pressing challenges!

What to expect in Mpigi?

With our two-module approach, we will train a new batch of Junior Coaches by guiding them through a 3-day „Train-the-Coach“ phase. The international and local participants will then take their new roles as Design Thinking Coaches and work together with the scholars from SINA to find solutions for local challenges. This defines the „practical phase“ and will give the new Coaches the unique opportunity to directly implement what they have just learned while being guided by experienced Senior Coaches along the journey.

The innovative and customer-focused orientation of the Design Thinking methodology helps all participants to foster their way of tackling a challenge and the unique spirit of the Impact Week experience will definitely inspire you to look at entrepreneurship and social innovation in a completely different light.

About SINA
Founded by social innovator Etienne Salborn—recently recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the world's top 50 inspiring organizational leaders—SINA operates across 18 communities in six African countries. The academy fosters sustainable development through its unique "freesponsibility" model, which blends freedom and responsibility to empower local changemakers. SINA has earned international acclaim, inspiring a new generation of changemakers to reshape their communities with dignity and purpose. This approach has led to the creation of over 80 social enterprises tackling pressing social and environmental challenges. Join Impact Week Uganda in this most meaningful program and help empower disadvantaged youth and refugees to become self-sufficient social entrepreneurs. 

Sounds interesting?

Then apply to secure one of our limited spots on the international Junior Coach Team!

With completion of our program, you can call yourself „Design Thinking Coach“ and become a multiplier of the methodology in your professional and private life.

 Upon completion of the program, you will be a trained coach who has already applied the methodology. You'll gain key skills through Design Thinking, such as innovation, customer focus, and implementation orientation. In addition, Impact Week promotes local entrepreneurship and social innovation.

What are the focus areas for challenges?

 Each participating team will work on one focus area. The SINA scholars can choose their focus area in the application process and get matched accordingly. Then it is up to them to own the challenge and create an innovative idea to tackle it – always keeping the Design Thinking methodology at heart.

We will update the challenges once they are determined. 

Conditions for Participants

The participation fee for the Design Thinking training is €3,500 + 500€ local costs. 

 Not included in the price are travel costs to and from Uganda (Entebbe Airport), visa, vaccinations, and recreational activities.

Approach us if you are a smaller company or local company about the prize. If you are only interested in the Train-the-Coach please also contact us.

Timeline

 This Impact Week is scheduled in the Central European Time (UTC +2:00)

Statement LGBTQ+ Rights

At Impact Week, we are deeply committed to creating positive change and empowering individuals to reach their full potential, regardless of their backgrounds or identities. Thereby, respect for human rights is a non-negotiable pillar of our work. We condemn every limitation or abuse thereof and are actively striving towards a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

When it comes to the destinations in which we work we aspire to empower communities that are most underserved, which also means that respect for human rights cannot be taken for granted. Our decision to operate in Uganda amidst the discrimination and prosecution of the LGBTQ+ community reflects our unwavering belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every human being. We remain committed to striving for a future where all individuals can live freely and authentically. This means as Impact Week we are clearly distancing ourselves from the LGBTQ+ laws of the Ugandan government, but we are seeking to be a catalyst for social change especially where not all parts of the population do possess the opportunity to live out their choices.

By organizing Impact Week in Uganda, we aim to create a platform for open conversations, knowledge sharing, and collaboration that transcends boundaries. Our goal is to foster an environment where diverse perspectives can be heard, respected, and understood.

To participate in Impact Week, participants need not disclose their sexual orientation. Everyone is welcome to join in on our programs. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you should be aware of the local legislation and news. As Impact Week we will do whatever is in our power to protect members of the LGBTQ+ community who are part of Impact Week. 

Health & Safety 

At Impact Week, we prioritize the health and safety of all our participants, ensuring that your experience in Uganda is both enriching and secure. While security measures are firmly in place on-site, we encourage you to consult your home country’s travel advisory for additional peace of mind.

For health matters and vaccination guidance, we recommend visiting the World Health Organization's Travel Advice page or the CDC website Uganda - Traveler view | Travelers' Health | CDC. To learn more about visa and entry requirements for Uganda, please visit https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/.

We’re always here to assist! Feel free to reach out to us directly with any questions or for further details. We look forward to welcoming you to an impactful and memorable experience in Uganda!