Sina.Loketa

27/02/2026

We are pleased to report the successful completion of the 18th Cohort scholar selection at SINA Loketa.

On Monday, 18 promising young entrepreneurs were selected through a competitive and participatory process led by our trainers and mentors. The selection emphasized leadership potential, innovation, resilience, and commitment to creating sustainable solutions within refugee and host communities in Uganda.
This achievement was made possible through the continued support of the IKEA Foundation and the Social Innovation Academy. Their strategic partnership enables us to provide holistic entrepreneurial incubation that goes beyond training to include mentorship, mindset transformation, and practical venture development.

The 18 selected scholars will now enter the incubation phase, where they will receive structured entrepreneurship training, coaching, access to co-creation space, and guidance toward launching sustainable social enterprises. These ventures are expected to generate inclusive employment opportunities and strengthen economic resilience among both refugee and host populations.

This cohort represents another step toward building a self-reliant, innovation-driven community ecosystem.

SINA - Social Innovation Academy SINA - Social Innovation Academy UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR Uganda

12/02/2026

We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for young entrepreneurs in Yumbe & Koboko Districts!
Are you a refugee or host-community youth with a business idea or already running a small business and ready to grow? SINA Loketa is inviting motivated young people to apply for our Entrepreneurship & Startup Lab Program, designed to help you turn ideas into real businesses. Selected participants will receive free mentorship, business skills training, access to a working space with internet, personalized business consultation, connection to the SINA network, and opportunities to access start-up capital. This is your chance to learn, build, and grow alongside other driven young entrepreneurs in your community.

We are excited to support passionate and committed youth who want to create positive change for themselves and their communities. Women and vulnerable youth are strongly encouraged to apply. Take the next step toward self-reliance and impact your idea matters!

Apply here:https://forms.gle/EZuWminoaPzVp4qY7

IKEA Foundation SINA - Social Innovation Academy Flexi Konnect

11/02/2026

We’re halfway through our campaign to support the Sina Loketa Entrepreneurship Program — 2026 Cohort with .

This campaign is part of a $10,000 matching round, meaning the number of individual donors increases the matching funds we receive. Your support helps unlock more resources for aspiring entrepreneurs.

If you believe in building skill-based income pathways and local economic opportunity:

🔗 https://app.relayfunder.com/campaigns/from-ideas-to-income-sina-loketa-entrepreneurship-program-2026-cohort-mkuj9tur

Thank you for your support and amplification.

Our campaign aims to support refugee entrepreneurs in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement to turn survival hustles into stable, income-generating businesses. Many as...

07/02/2026

From Ideas to Income – SINA Loketa Entrepreneurship Program

This campaign supports refugee and host-community entrepreneurs in Bidibidi to move from survival hustles to stable, income-generating businesses. Many youth and women face barriers such as lack of start-up capital, limited skills, weak market access, and no mentorship. Through practical training, one-on-one coaching, market linkages, and start-up capital, SINA Loketa helps entrepreneurs launch, grow, and create jobs.

This campaign is part of the Prezenti – Celo Round, where contributions can be matched from a $10,000 pool, multiplying your impact and supporting long-term self-reliance.

👉 Supportour campaign here: https://app.relayfunder.com/campaigns/from-ideas-to-income-sina-loketa-entrepreneurship-program-2026-cohort-mkuj9tur

Our campaign aims to support refugee entrepreneurs in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement to turn survival hustles into stable, income-generating businesses. Many as...

30/10/2025

Empowering Umemployed Refugee in Bidibidi
to Transition from Aid Dependency to Job Creators!

In June, we selected 30 young people from Bidibidi Refugee Settlement and the host community to join our Applied Social Entrepreneurship Program. This month, they advanced to the Emerging Stage, beginning with a Design Thinking Bootcamp focused on identifying real community challenges and developing innovative solutions.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Social Innovation Academy (SINA) and IKEA Foundation for their continued support of our social entrepreneurship initiative in Bidibidi.

Our mission is to create social businesses that generate jobs, foster innovation, and help refugees transition from aid dependency to self-reliance and improved livelihoods within their communities.

24/10/2025

Yesterday, SINAL had the honor of hosting a delegation from UNHCR Geneva, along with representatives from the UK, Ireland, France, the USA, WFP, and other donor agencies, at our Music and Arts Centre in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.

The visit offered guests a chance to listen and connect to our stories, witness the impact of our programs, and engage with our youth start-ups showcasing their products. Our music students also inspired everyone with performances promoting peace, love, and unity between refugees and host communities.

SINAL’s founders shared milestones and future goals to expand the impact to other zones in Bidibidi and beyond. We deeply appreciate the continued support from , , , , , and all partners contributing to our mission.

Thank you for your continued support.
The SINAL Team.

20/10/2025

We are delighted to share that the Bidibidi Music and Arts Centre, a flagship project of SINA Loketa, has been longlisted for the *Dezeen Awards 2025!*
Located in the heart of the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, the centre was conceptualized and implemented by architecturally designed by , and funded by , with technical support from . The programming and community activities at the centre are proudly supported by Playing For Change Foundation , enabling continuous engagement, training, and creative expression among refugee and host community youth.

The facility features a music recording studio, training spaces, and a semi-open performance amphitheaters, all built using locally produced earth bricks and covered with a lightweight, rainwater-harvesting roof. Its innovative design promotes natural light, ventilation, and excellent acoustics, while the construction phase created employment and hands-on training opportunities for both refugees and members of the host community.
Today, the Bidibidi Music and Arts Centre serves as a vibrant hub for music, arts, and social entrepreneurship, empowering youth and creatives to transform their talents into sustainable livelihoods. It stands as a powerful symbol of collaboration, resilience, and refugee-led innovation, demonstrating what is possible when communities, designers, and partners unite for positive change.

Learn more about the project here:https://lnkd.in/deAieWgS

14/10/2025

Today marks the second day of our ongoing youth empowerment training under the ENABEL–SINA Loketa Partnership, currently taking place at the SINA Bidibidi Music and Arts Centre. The training targets 30 young participants from both refugee and host communities, equipping them with hands-on technical, digital, and business skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurship potential.

The program focuses on three key areas:

Technical Repair Skills – covering phone, radio, and computer repair;

Digital Upskilling – focusing on digital security, account protection, and digital marketing;

Production Optimization – introducing participants to the Business Model Canvas and product management.

Through this collaboration, ENABEL and SINA Loketa are empowering young innovators to transform their ideas into sustainable ventures, fostering digital inclusion, economic resilience, and community-driven innovation in the Bidibidi Settlement. To: Creative Activists UNHCR Uganda

11/10/2025

This week, SINA LOKETA, in partnership with ENABEL, successfully concluded a 12-day agricultural training on Post-Harvest Handling and Environmental Management, reaching 40 farmers from both refugee and host communities in Bidibidi Settlement. The training empowered participants with practical skills to improve food preservation, reduce post-harvest losses, and adopt eco-friendly farming practices such as composting and soil conservation.

See for more: https://sinaloketa.org/enable-partnership-training-building-sustainable-farming-skills-for-refugee-and-host-communities-in-bidibidi/

05/09/2025

This week, five passionate teams from our took part in an intensive one-week Bootcamp at in Bombo District. The bootcamp is designed to equip them with the skills, confidence, and mindset to turn bold ideas into thriving enterprises.

Today marks a milestone as they pitch their ventures — not only to receive valuable feedback, but also for the opportunity to secure startup capital that will help them move from concept to company.

These ventures are more than businesses; they are pathways to:

-Innovation in refugee and host communities
- Social impact that tackles real challenges
-Job creation & financial independence for youth and families

We are proud to witness their journey of transformation — from being seen only as “refugees” to becoming entrepreneurs, changemakers, and leaders of tomorrow.

A heartfelt congratulations to the for providing the mentorship, resources, and support that make such programs possible. Together, we are building an ecosystem where talent flourishes and underrepresented entrepreneurs rise.



SINA - Social Innovation Academy

10/08/2025

Last week, we hosted a vibrant social event at the Bidibidi Music and Arts Centre in collaboration with ADRA. Our traditional dance groups, supported by Playing For Change Foundation (PFCF), showcased the rich cultural heritage of our community through captivating performances.

We were also honored to welcome student groups from Norway, who shared their own cultural traditions, creating a beautiful exchange of art, rhythm, and storytelling.

It is inspiring to witness the Bidibidi Music and Arts Centre growing into a true hub of unity, a place where refugees and host communities come together to celebrate diversity, foster peacebuilding, and address social challenges through dance, music, and arts education.

This event reminded us that art is more than expression it’s a bridge that connects hearts, cultures, and dreams. 🎶🌍

.org

22/07/2025

Our SINALBootcamp has wrapped up successfully, empowering 4 brilliant teams to tackle malnutrition and improve farming through innovation! After weeks of training, mentorship, and hard work, they pitched their solutions and competed for startup capital.

We’re proud of every changemaker and deeply grateful to our mentors, partners, and GoFundMe supporters. The journey continues!

We would also like to say thank you for those who are supporting our fundraising camping, your support is creating impact and transforming lives of people in the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.

👉 Support their journey by donating here: https://gofund.me/891d6d8a

Thank You!

🙌🏾