Project Overview
The ADVANCE Project focuses on strengthening Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SIE) education in Uganda and Tanzania. It empowers higher education institutions (HEIs) to integrate teaching and research with a third mission — community engagement, innovation, and economic development.
Despite steady economic growth, over 40% of the population in both countries still lives below the international poverty line, with many lacking access to essential services such as water, sanitation, education, and healthcare. The ADVANCE Project seeks to bridge these gaps by promoting social enterprise-driven solutions that tackle systemic poverty and unemployment.
Project Objectives
Curriculum Development
Develop and implement a Post-Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship focused on experiential and service learning.
Capacity Building
Enhance the capacity of academic staff in HEIs to deliver high-quality, competence-based entrepreneurship education.
Foster Social Entrepreneurship
Promote practical entrepreneurial skills among graduates to establish innovative, mission-driven enterprises that address social challenges.
Project Context
In Uganda and Tanzania, youth unemployment remains a major concern — estimated at 13% — and entrepreneurship education is often criticized for being too theoretical. The ADVANCE Project seeks to transform entrepreneurship education into a dynamic, hands-on process that nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.
By linking academia with communities and the private sector, the project bridges theory and practice to create entrepreneurs capable of generating sustainable solutions to pressing socio-economic challenges.
Project Consortium
European Partners
University of National and World Economy (Bulgaria)
Vilniaus Kolegija (Lithuania)
Università degli Studi del Sannio (Italy)
Tetra Solutions (Bulgaria)
Ugandan Partners
Lira University
Busitema University
Facilitation for Peace and Development (FAPAD)
Tanzanian Partners
Mkwawa University College of Education
Mzumbe University
Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO)
Funding & Implementation
The ADVANCE Project is a European Union-funded initiative involving 10 partners across Europe and East Africa. It runs from 2025 to 2027 and supports the advancement of social innovation and entrepreneurship education through a collaborative approach between academia, civil society, and the private sector.
Expected Outcomes
New Curriculum
Development and launch of a postgraduate programme in social innovation and entrepreneurship across four universities.
Staff Development
Enhanced skills of lecturers and mentors in innovative teaching and research methods in entrepreneurship education.
Empowered Graduates
Graduates equipped with real-world entrepreneurial skills to launch mission-led social enterprises.
Innovation Hubs
Establishment of Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship Learning Centres at partner universities.