Community Women’s Enterprise Network

03/08/2026

Starting August with Optimism. 🌱☕
One year ago, with the support of Women Win under Free Grow, CWEN implemented the Women in Tea and Coffee Project across districts in Central Uganda, reaching over 216 youth, women, and migrant workers with a simple but powerful goal of strengthening their entrepreneurial capacity in the tea and coffee value chains. Today, the results speak for themselves.
The women we worked alongside are no longer just producers, they are becoming confident entrepreneurs, adding value to their products, accessing new markets, and building stronger, more resilient businesses. Their journey is proof that when women are equipped with the right skills, mentorship, and opportunities, they transform not only their enterprises but also their communities.
A shining example is Mitigyeera Coffee Farmers Cooperative, which recently participated in the Bukomansimbi District Agricultureal Value Addition Exhibition. The cooperative proudly showcased its value-added coffee products, conducted practical coffee-processing demonstrations, trained fellow participants, and generated sales, thereby demonstrating the confidence, knowledge, and business growth nurtured through the project.
As we welcome a new month, we celebrate the lasting impact of investing in entrepreneurs. Their success reminds us that sustainable change begins with opportunity, grows through partnership, and flourishes when communities are empowered to lead their own development.

31/07/2026

🌍 𝐃𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐨́𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐨 𝐔𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚, 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞̂𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬

O Agri VET Project é um projeto europeu de capacitação no ensino e formação profissional que pretende preparar futuros gestores de cadeias de valor agroalimentares, aproximando a formação das necessidades reais do setor, com especial atenção à logística, digitalização, sustentabilidade e aprendizagem em contexto de trabalho.

O consórcio reúne seis entidades de seis países: CWEP, da Polónia, que coordena o projeto; Citizens Information and Development Initiative, da Nigéria; MBC Africa, do Gana; Community Women’s Enterprise Network, do Uganda; Exeo Lab Srl, de Itália; e o CATAA, de Portugal.

Depois de analisados os ecossistemas de formação profissional dos países parceiros e definida a metodologia comum do programa, entrámos agora numa nova etapa: a criação dos seis módulos de formação AgriVET.

No passado dia 21 de julho, o consórcio reuniu para dar o pontapé de saída a esta tarefa. O CATAA, que lidera o WP3 – Capacity Building for Value Chain Managers, acaba de partilhar o Módulo 3 – Digitalisation in Agri-food Value Chains, acompanhado por exercícios práticos, materiais para formadores e formandos e recursos para utilização online e offline. Este módulo servirá de base e inspiração para o desenvolvimento dos restantes.

E o próximo encontro já tem casa marcada: em setembro, o CATAA receberá o consórcio AgriVET em Castelo Branco. Vamos continuar a transformar conhecimento em competências - e competências em oportunidades.

31/07/2026

As we end the Month of July we are still committed to supporting youth and women entrepreneurs. Log on to www.cwen.or.ug and learn more about our work.

20/07/2026

After a long break, it was refreshing to bring together once again the incredible women and youth entrepreneurs who make the CWEN community so special. There was a genuine sense of excitement as familiar faces reunited and new members experienced the warmth, openness, and spirit of collaboration that defines .

10/07/2026

| Conversations That Matter
As we look back, one of our memorable sessions brought together Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners and sector stakeholders for an honest and impactful roundtable discussion at the CWEN offices. The conversation reflected on the realities faced by women-led enterprises in the ECD sector during and after the COVID-19 pandemic from business disruptions and financial uncertainty to the often-overlooked challenges of mental health, stress, and depression. It also highlighted the resilience of women entrepreneurs, the importance of peer support, and the need for stronger partnerships to build a more responsive and sustainable ECD ecosystem.
At CWEN, we believe that meaningful change begins with meaningful conversations. By creating safe spaces for dialogue, learning, and collaboration, continues to connect entrepreneurs with the people, ideas, and partnerships that help businesses and communities thrive.
Together, we are building stronger businesses and healthier communities.
Fathila Nanozi Kabagaya Estella

06/07/2026

is back! Our members-only networking series where entrepreneurs open their doors, share their journeys, and create opportunities together. This edition will be hosted at The Coffee Space by Nostalgic Coffee Limited, offering members a unique opportunity to connect, build meaningful partnerships, generate sales leads, exchange business experiences, and learn from a fellow entrepreneur in their own business environment. Great conversations, authentic connections, and new opportunities await because when entrepreneurs come together, businesses grow. Register here 👉 👉 https://lnkd.in/eSX7Mvs9

01/07/2026

As we step into the second half of the year, we do so with renewed purpose and an even stronger commitment to empowering youth and women entrepreneurs. Every training delivered, every business mentored, every market linked, and every opportunity created brings us one step closer to building resilient enterprises and thriving communities. We are committed to equipping entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, networks, and opportunities they need to build sustainable businesses and reach their full potential. The journey ahead holds tremendous promise. Together with our partners, communities, and entrepreneurs, we look forward to deepening our impact, opening new pathways for growth, and ensuring that no promising entrepreneur is left behind. Here's to a purposeful, productive, and impactful second half of the year.

15/06/2026

Value addition starts with people, not products. At CWEN, we believe that successful value addition begins long before a new product reaches the market.
We are supporting the 1000 Gardens Project in Kasese as they embark on a journey from fresh vegetable sales to value-added products. The communities we are working with are made up of dedicated women and youth vegetable growers who have organized themselves from individual farmers into thriving community gardens. They produce a variety of vegetables that currently serve local markets in fresh form.
Our onboarding process goes far beyond identifying a product idea.
Before discussing processing, packaging, or branding, we seek to understand the ecosystem in which the enterprise operates. This means taking time to assess:
✅ Soil topography and agricultural suitability
✅ Land ownership and access arrangements
✅ Climate and weather conditions
✅ Existing production practices
✅ Group dynamics and leadership structures
✅ Community aspirations and ownership of the process
✅ Market opportunities and traceability systems
Why? Because value addition is not simply about transforming raw materials into products. True value addition is about empowering people, strengthening ownership, building resilient enterprises, and creating systems that consumers can trust. It is about ensuring that every product has a story, every farmer has a stake, and every community benefits from the value created. As we begin this journey with the 1000 Gardens Project, we look forward to co-creating solutions that are community-owned, market-driven, and built for long-term sustainability. When communities own the process, value follows. Hadijah Mukasa Tibenkana Denis Fathila Nanozi

05/06/2026

Over the past eighteen months of implementing the Nutrition Impact at Scale Project, the CWEN Common User Facility has emerged as a game-changing platform for MSMEs, helping to remove some of the biggest barriers to enterprise growth. By providing shared access to processing equipment, machinery, technical expertise, quality assurance support, and market readiness services, the facility has enabled MSMEs to invest in value addition without the burden of high capital costs. As a result, MSMEs are improving product quality, strengthening compliance with food safety standards, preparing for certification, accessing new and more profitable markets, and increasing their competitiveness.
Beyond enhancing production capacity, the facility is fostering innovation, creating jobs, strengthening local food systems, and unlocking new income opportunities for MSMEs. The CWEN Common User Facility is proving that when MSMEs have access to the right infrastructure and support, they can transition from small-scale enterprises to market-ready businesses capable of driving inclusive economic growth, improved nutrition outcomes, and sustainable community transformation.

The CWEN Common User Facility is transforming women and youth-led a...

02/06/2026

Our May Newsletter is here! May was a month of growth, collaboration, and exciting opportunities across the CWEN community. In this edition, we bring you inspiring updates from our members, partners, CWEN Shop, and a special staff feature sharing insights from the people driving our mission forward.
We also look ahead to exciting upcoming events, including World MSME Day 2026 Celebration, where we will spotlight the innovation, resilience, and achievements of women and youth entrepreneurs under the theme "The Future Generation of MSMEs." Whether you're a member, partner, supporter, or entrepreneur, there is something for everyone in this month's newsletter. Stay informed, stay inspired, and celebrate the incredible work happening across our network. Read, share, and connect with the CWEN community as we continue building stronger entrepreneurs and thriving communities together.

👉 👉 https://lnkd.in/dr75aQpR