EmpowerHer Energy: Unlocking Youth-Led Innovation in Clean Energy
At the Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC), we believe that the future of Uganda’s clean energy transition lies in the hands of its youth—especially young women. That’s why we are excited to introduce the EmpowerHer Energy Project, a groundbreaking initiative designed to create pathways for young innovators to thrive, build sustainable businesses, and generate decent jobs.
Launched in July 2025 and running until November 2025, the project combines technical training, mentorship, incubation, university innovation chapters, and policy engagement to strengthen Uganda’s clean energy ecosystem. Its focus areas include clean cooking, energy efficiency, and entrepreneurship development—critical sectors for a sustainable and inclusive energy future.
Why EmpowerHer Energy Matters
Uganda’s youth unemployment crisis remains staggering: between 64% and 70% of young people are unemployed, with approximately 400,000 graduates entering the job market each year to compete for only about 9,000 available jobs. These numbers highlight the urgent need for innovative approaches to create opportunities.
The EmpowerHer Energy Project is designed to tackle this challenge head-on. By establishing student-led innovation chapters in universities, the project gives young people the tools and networks to become active drivers of change rather than passive job seekers.
These chapters will provide safe and vibrant spaces where students can:
- Collaborate on clean energy and climate-smart solutions
- Connect classroom learning with real-world application
- Access mentorship from industry experts
- Build enterprises that are ready to scale
Through this model, EmpowerHer Energy is bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policy, ensuring that youth-driven innovations can survive and make national impact.
A Milestone Moment: Ndejje University Innovation Chapter Launch
On 29th August 2025, CREEC, with support from Fundación under the Impulsouth Project, launched the EmpowerHer Innovation Chapter at Ndejje University.
This marks a key milestone in our journey. The Innovation Chapter will act as a hub for engaging students in clean energy entrepreneurship, technology development, and climate-smart practices. It will also serve as a platform to encourage women to take the lead in sectors where they are often underrepresented.
This launch sets the stage for the upcoming capacity building and incubation program, where selected participants will undergo targeted training, mentorship, and enterprise support to turn their innovative ideas into market-ready solutions.
Looking Ahead
The EmpowerHer Energy Project is more than just a program, it’s a movement. A movement to unlock the creativity of young people, amplify the voices of women in clean energy, and build a future where innovation drives sustainability and inclusive growth.
We are proud to walk this journey with our partners, students, and communities.