Since 2016, I have had the opportunity to work with charitable organizations that promoted the health and safety of women and children. Every day, I was exposed to acts of good service from people across the world who dedicated their time and effort to serve the less privileged. As a young graduate, my dream was to always have a pay cheque at the end of the month.

When the global pandemic hit, I was hit too. My contract had ended and I was stuck making phone calls seeking job offers. For about 6 months, I was at home with no…

In March every year, Ghana joins the world in commemorating International Women’s Day (IWD). As part of this year’s celebration, which was under the theme “Choose to Challenge”, Challenges Ghana partnered with the United Entrepreneurs Association, founded by Ms. Hilda Amonoo, to organise business training for women entrepreneurs in and around Pokuase, a suburb of Accra, Ghana’s capital city.

The training, delivered on Friday, the 5th of March 2021, had female junior associates from the Standard Chartered Foundation funded “Youth To Work” programme, deliver sessions on Financial management, Sales and Marketing.

In attendance were 16 women entrepreneurs, 13 of whom…

In February 2021, we launched Making Work Work — for Women Returners with our partners, The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and Lynn Houmdi. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and is a pilot of our approach of helping people who face barriers to finding or creating meaningful work which works with the other commitments and enjoyment of life. Lynn Houmdi, who is also the Project Manager, hosted panel of incredibly inspiring women at the launch on 8 February 2021, all of whom ably evidenced that there is no one right path and that it is possible to work…

On International Migrants Day 2020 we recognise the importance and contributions of migrants and the value different migrant groups (inc. of refugees, Internally Displaced Peoples and stateless) can bring to host countries, as well as their home communities.

2020 has certainly been a year for the books. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global slowdown in economic growth, a spike in global unemployment levels (especially among young people) and the prospect of returning to poverty levels not seen since the 1990s.

With those living on the margins and those already living in precarity being disproportionately affected by the pandemic, the…

Uganda is facing a major challenge in youth unemployment. Official figures report that 80% of its population are aged below 35 years old, yet the country’s recent economic growth has failed to translate into new employment opportunities for young people. A recent study found that Ugandan young people face widespread issues of unemployment and underemployment, with educated youths suffering higher unemployment levels in particular. Since 2013, the government has boosted youth employability schemes, focusing on enterprise development, job creation and business skills training. …

Challenges’ flagship Rwandan Coffee Project has reached its halfway point. To mark this major milestone and to coincide with Fairtrade Fortnight, Challenges has released a new film about the project and published a report detailing the activity that has gone on during the past two and a half months.

In less than three years, Challenges and its project partners have trained more 800 co-op members and farmers while the eight participating co-operatives have all either increased their exports or started exporting. …

At The Challenges Group, we’re always interested to hear about disruptive approaches to agriculture. With a series of ongoing projects supporting farmers and smallholders, it’s encouraging to see increased calls for innovative solutions that address sanitation and waste as well as the economic struggle facing many farmers.

Here, authors Federico Davila, Alice Mutiti Mweetwa, Dana Cordell, Frank Mnthambala, Gudina Terefe Tucho and Ruben Sakrabani look at how connecting two major sustainable development issues can allow countries to develop a circular economy.

AFRICAN agriculture is fundamental to supporting rural livelihoods and bolstering economic growth, and can benefit from technology and advances…

2019 has been a superb year for Challenges! For the past 12 months our management consultants and business trainers in Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Ghana, Ethiopia and the UK have been involved an array of exciting projects, working with small businesses, development agencies, co-ops, entrepreneurs and young professionals.

And as 2019 draws to a close, we’re deeply excited about the year ahead as we continue to deliver enterprising solutions to global challenges. As for the past year, here’s a brief selection of highlights from across The Challenges Group!

In Uganda, we partnered with USEA to map the country’s solar sector…