A practical 10week short course designed for local leaders, cooperative managers and development practitioners to strengthen community finance systems and support microenterprise growth. The programme equips participants with tools to mobilise savings, manage microcredit, build financial literacy, and design enterprise support services that empower households and communities.

What You Will Learn - 6 modules (10 weeks)

• Module 1 — Foundations of Community Finance: principles of savings groups, cooperatives, SACCOs and their role in local development.
• Module 2 — Microcredit and Loan Portfolio Management: lending models, delinquency control, interest setting and sustainability.
• Module 3 — Financial Literacy and Inclusion: training methods, household budgeting, digital literacy and inclusion of vulnerable groups.
• Module 4 — Microenterprise Development Strategies: enterprise incubation, value chain strengthening, market access and innovation.
• Module 5 — Governance and Accountability in Community Finance: leadership roles, transparency, reporting and antifraud measures.
• Module 6 — Impact Measurement and Scaling: monitoring tools, success indicators, case studies and strategies for scaling community finance initiatives.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Mobilise community savings and manage microcredit portfolios effectively.
• Deliver financial literacy programmes that empower households and vulnerable groups.
• Design microenterprise support strategies that create jobs and income.
• Strengthen governance and accountability in community finance institutions.
• Measure impact and scale successful initiatives across communities.

Impact
Communities applying these practices increase financial inclusion, reduce poverty, and grow microenterprises that sustain livelihoods. Stronger governance and literacy improve trust and resilience in local finance systems.

Who Can Apply

• Cooperative and SACCO managers.
• NGO staff and community development officers.
• Local government leaders and councillors.
• Entrepreneurs and consultants supporting microenterprise development.

Delivery Model

• Blended: three intensive workshops (in-person or virtual) + weekly online microlessons.
• Practical labs: savings mobilisation clinics, loan portfolio analysis, enterprise incubation exercises and literacy training simulations.
• Toolkits: savings group templates, loan tracking sheets, literacy training guides and enterprise support frameworks.
• Applied assessment: submit a community finance plan, a microenterprise support strategy and an impact monitoring framework.

Cost and Duration

• Tuition (Standard): UGX 650,000
• Tuition (Intensive): UGX 900,000
• Duration (Standard): 10 weeks
• Duration (Intensive): 6 weeks
• Study Load: 4–6 hours per week

Cohort Start Dates

January, April, July, October (2026–2028) - bespoke organisational cohorts available on request.