Cosmo Foundation

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Cosmo Foundation Empowering Ugandan refugees & marginalized youth through social entrepreneurship & education for sustainable community development.

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Last week, we wrapped up our Kampala Idea Generation Day for the Refugee Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award.We met yo...
31/08/2026

Last week, we wrapped up our Kampala Idea Generation Day for the Refugee Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award.
We met young refugees and members of the host community who came with questions, frustrations, and lived experiences and by the end of the day, many of those conversations had turned into ideas, ideas from real community challenges and a desire to build something that matters.

At Cosmo Foundation, this is why we create these spaces. We believe innovation doesn’t begin with funding or polished pitches, It begins when people feel seen, trusted, and encouraged to act.
Thank you to everyone who showed up with openness, courage, and a willingness to learn from one another. We’re excited to see many of these ideas take the next step through the Refugee Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award.
This journey is only getting started.
SocialEntrepreneurship Changemakers

On this International Youth Day, we are celebrating one of our own at Cosmo Foundation Raphael Akonkwa . 🌍✨Raphaël Mrl ...
12/08/2026

On this International Youth Day, we are celebrating one of our own at Cosmo Foundation Raphael Akonkwa . 🌍✨

Raphaël Mrl has been selected as a , Class of 2026, by the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) and Millennium Campus Network (MCN)

At Cosmo Foundation, Raphaël is a true game changer. Through mentoring, training, mental health advocacy, and working closely with our young people, he continues to create spaces where refugee youth can learn, grow, find their voice, and lead.

This recognition reminds us of something we deeply believe: young people are not only leaders of tomorrow ,they are already shaping change today.

Raphaël, we are proud to see you growing, leading, and taking your impact beyond our community. Your journey is our celebration today.

Congratulations, Raphael Akonkwa ! 💫

Happy International Youth Day!

YoungChangemakers SocialImpact

What is one problem in your community that you wish someone would solve?We’re inviting young people in Kampala to join u...
11/08/2026

What is one problem in your community that you wish someone would solve?
We’re inviting young people in Kampala to join us for a practical Ideation Session where we’ll learn how to:
• Identify real problems in our communities
• Talk to people and understand their needs
• Turn problems into practical social business ideas
• Get feedback and improve our ideas
You don’t need to have a business idea or any entrepreneurship experience. Just come with your curiosity and a problem you care about.
📍 Kampala
🕙 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📅 21st August, 2026
If you’re ready to look at a problem differently and start building a solution, register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/1HklsBSVcm4h9mRChWy9hFD8jJwfn2j3Q0Oe5NsnekbU/viewform?usp=sharing_eol&edit_requested=true
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

There was a time when this was just a conversation between a few young refugee women.They had no investors. No big works...
31/07/2026

There was a time when this was just a conversation between a few young refugee women.
They had no investors. No big workshop. No guarantee that things would work out.
What they had was a shared dream, a willingness to learn, and the courage to keep showing up even when life gave them every reason to give up.
At Cosmo Foundation, we had the privilege of walking alongside them as they explored an idea, challenged themselves, and slowly turned that idea into Smile Natural Hair Extensions UG , that are transforming banana fibers into natural hair extensions.
Today, that same team has been recognized as one of the three winners of the SINA Acceleration Program first Bootcamp, Cohort 12, at Jangu International
This recognition is a proof that when young refugee women are trusted, supported, and given the right environment, they don’t just build businesses they build hope, dignity, and opportunities for others.
To the incredible team behind Smile Natural Hair Extensions Patricia BL, thank you for reminding us that every successful venture begins with someone who refuses to let their circumstances define their future.
We are incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see where this journey takes you next.
Keep shining. Your story is only getting started.

Another day, another community, and more ideas coming to life.We have successfully completed our Idea Generation Worksho...
29/07/2026

Another day, another community, and more ideas coming to life.
We have successfully completed our Idea Generation Workshop in Nakivale Refugee Settlement at Opportunigee as part of the Refugee Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award.
What we enjoyed most was seeing participants look at the challenges around them differently. Instead of only talking about the problems they face, they started asking themselves, “What can I do about this?” That is the kind of mindset we want to encourage.
We had honest conversations, shared experiences, challenged ideas, and started turning everyday community challenges into possible solutions and business opportunities. There is so much potential in refugee communities. Sometimes, all that is needed is a space where people can come together, think freely, and believe that their ideas are worth pursuing.
The application is still opened till 31st August: https://lnkd.in/dxBxDJWz
We are excited to see where some of these ideas will go. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency The Promise Hub Jerome Rwankuba Lyon Miriam Feza Grace Ramazani Emile Kwilyame Raphaël Mrl Naboth Kwilyame Mema Havila Rachel

“For years, I only saw the problems around me. Today, I see opportunities to solve them.” A 28 year refugee participant ...
21/07/2026

“For years, I only saw the problems around me. Today, I see opportunities to solve them.”
A 28 year refugee participant at the COSMO Foundation Innovation Workshop, Kyaka Refugee Settlement.

What if refugee settlements were not only seen as places of need, but also as places where solutions are born?

This week, COSMO Foundation, continued the Refugee Entrepreneurship & Innovation Award 2026 at Kyaka Refugee Settlement, bringing together refugee women and men from different countries, united by one purpose: to transform the challenges facing their communities into sustainable solutions.

As humanitarian funding continues to decline, the conversation must evolve. Refugees are not only asking how to survive,they are asking how to solve the problems around them.

Throughout the workshop, participants identified the most urgent challenges affecting their communities from unemployment and food insecurity to waste management, access to essential services, and social inclusion. They then worked together to design innovative, community-led ventures that respond to those realities.

This is the future of refugee response.

Not creating dependency.
But investing in people who understand the challenges because they live them and who are best positioned to solve them.

Our sincere appreciation to ARISE YOUTH FOUNDATION for hosting this workshop

The world’s greatest solutions often come from those who have experienced its greatest challenges.

Together, we are moving from survival to solutions

🚀 The COSMO Foundation flag is now flying in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement!Our journey to discover and support refugee-le...
15/07/2026

🚀 The COSMO Foundation flag is now flying in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement!

Our journey to discover and support refugee-led innovation has officially reached one of the world’s largest refugee settlements.

Through the Refugee Entrepreneurship & Innovation Award 2026, we are not just inviting refugees to apply, we are meeting them where they are. Our Idea Generation Workshops help participants identify community challenges, build strong teams, refine their ideas, and navigate the application process so that no one is left behind because of technical barriers.

Our first workshop in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement brought together 50 participants who developed 15 innovative ideas. By the end of the day, 10 teams had already submitted their applications, while the remaining teams are refining their concepts before applying.

A special thank you to the SINAL team for hosting us and helping make the Bidi Bidi workshop such a success.

Next stop: Nakivale Refugee Settlement. We can’t wait to discover even more refugee-led solutions.

The response to the Refugee Entrepreneurship & Innovation Award has been incredible. In less than a week, we’ve already received 90 applications from refugee entrepreneurs and innovators across Uganda and this is just the beginning.

You could be next. Apply today or share this opportunity with a refugee innovator in your network.

🔗 Application link: https://lnkd.in/dxBxDJWz

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Franco Lemi Sylvain Himbana Mawa Zacharia

UNHCR Uganda

🚀 Applications are now open for the Refugee Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award 2026!The Refugee Entrepreneurship and ...
08/07/2026

🚀 Applications are now open for the Refugee Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award 2026!

The Refugee Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award 2026, organized by Cosmo Foundation Uganda, celebrates and supports refugee entrepreneurs with bold ideas and innovative solutions that create lasting social and economic impact.

If you are a refugee living in Uganda and have a business idea, an early-stage business, or a social innovation, this award is your opportunity to accelerate your journey through:

✨ Entrepreneurship and business training
✨ Personalized mentorship and coaching
✨ Business incubation and venture support
💰 A chance to compete for a total of UGX 10,000,000 in seed funding for finalist ventures

We are looking for entrepreneurs and innovators who are ready to transform challenges into opportunities and build solutions that strengthen both refugee and host communities.

📅 Application Deadline: 31 August 2026

🔗 Apply here: https://forms.gle/7QaGFzu5G1Umw1E19

Please share this opportunity with your networks so that more refugee entrepreneurs and innovators can access the support they need to turn their ideas into impact.

Together, we are investing in refugee-led innovation and building a future driven by resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurship. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

L🚀 Applications are now open for the Refugee Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award 2026!The Refugee Entrepreneurship and...
08/07/2026

L🚀 Applications are now open for the Refugee Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award 2026!

The Refugee Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award 2026, organized by Cosmo Foundation Uganda, celebrates and supports refugee entrepreneurs with bold ideas and innovative solutions that create lasting social and economic impact.

If you are a refugee living in Uganda and have a business idea, an early-stage business, or a social innovation, this award is your opportunity to accelerate your journey through:

✨ Entrepreneurship and business training
✨ Personalized mentorship and coaching
✨ Business incubation and venture support
💰 A chance to compete for a total of UGX 10,000,000 in seed funding for finalist ventures

We are looking for entrepreneurs and innovators who are ready to transform challenges into opportunities and build solutions that strengthen both refugee and host communities.

📅 Application Deadline: 31 August 2026

🔗 Apply here: https://forms.gle/7QaGFzu5G1Umw1E19

Please share this opportunity with your networks so that more refugee entrepreneurs and innovators can access the support they need to turn their ideas into impact.

Together, we are investing in refugee-led innovation and building a future driven by resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurship. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

🌍✨ This , we proudly celebrate Patricia Bulambo, one of our scholars, on her selection to the prestigious Amahoro Fello...
20/06/2026

🌍✨ This , we proudly celebrate Patricia Bulambo, one of our scholars, on her selection to the prestigious Amahoro Fellowship Program.
Patricia’s journey reflects the story of many refugee women in Kampala. Arriving with dreams but facing limited opportunities, she refused to let her circumstances define her future. Through Cosmo Foundation’s empowerment programs, mentorship, and entrepreneurship support, Patricia discovered her potential, strengthened her leadership skills, and began building a path toward meaningful impact.
Today, her selection into the Amahoro Fellowship is not only a personal achievement—it is proof of what is possible when refugee women are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead.
At Cosmo Foundation, we believe refugees are not a burden; they are innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers waiting for the right opportunity to shine. Patricia’s success is a testament to the incredible potential that exists within the refugee communities we serve every day.
Congratulations, Patricia! Your journey inspires us all, and we can’t wait to see the impact you will continue to create. 💙
WomenEntrepreneurs RefugeeInnovation Empowerment

Address

Masajja Kibira
Kampala

Opening Hours

Monday 07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday 07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday 07:30 - 17:00
Thursday 07:30 - 17:00
Friday 07:30 - 17:00

Telephone

+256706117058

Website

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