The inaugural edition
Grassroots Innovation Camp & Awards 2026
A camp, an exhibition and an awards ceremony for innovators aged 6–16 — held where the ideas actually come from. 19 September 2026, Nankandulo Sub-County, Kamuli District.
The flagship programme
Grassroots Innovation Camp & Awards 2026
The Grassroots Innovation Camp & Awards (GICA) 2026 is CITES’ flagship youth innovation programme, created to discover, nurture and celebrate young innovators who are developing practical solutions to challenges in their communities.
The 2026 camp will take place on 19 September 2026 in Nankandulo Sub-County, Kamuli District, bringing together young innovators to showcase their ideas, demonstrate their creations and learn through practical engagement.
The programme is designed to encourage creativity, problem-solving, technology and entrepreneurship, while giving young people access to mentorship, exposure and recognition. Participants will have an opportunity to present their innovations to educators, community leaders, partners and other stakeholders.
GICA 2026 is part of CITES’ wider vision of creating opportunities for young people beyond major urban centres and building a model of grassroots innovation that can grow to other communities across Uganda.
Why the camp exists
The gap, and the response
CITES aims to empower Ugandan youth through digital skills, innovation and entrepreneurship. While ideas and talent exist across the country, many young people in rural communities lack the platforms, skills and opportunities to turn their ideas into solutions for local challenges.
The Response: CITES is launching the Grassroots Innovation Camp and Awards 2026, a pioneering initiative to identify, nurture and celebrate young innovators from underserved communities. The inaugural event takes place in Nankandulo Sub-County, Kamuli District, bringing together children and young innovators aged 6–16 to showcase practical innovations that improve lives within their communities.
Who it is for: Children and young innovators aged 6–16, entering as school teams or as individuals. Every participant receives a certificate of participation.
The programme
Event highlights
Building, judging and recognising ideas in a way that helps both first-time innovators and district officers find their footing. Programme details TBC.
Innovation exhibition: Demonstrations by participants, set up as a public exhibition rather than a closed judging room.
Interactive learning sessions: Creativity, technology and problem-solving, run by facilitators alongside the exhibition.
Judging and recognition: Outstanding innovations assessed against usefulness to the community, not polish.
Networking: Educators, community leaders, development partners and private-sector actors, in the same room as the innovators.
Award ceremony and certification: Recognition of participants’ innovation and entrepreneurship, with certificates for everyone who exhibits.
What it is meant to change
Expected outcomes
Increased awareness and appreciation of innovation among rural youth.
Identification of promising grassroots solutions to local challenges.
Enhanced confidence, creativity and problem-solving skills among participants.
A scalable model that can be replicated in other regions of Uganda.
Strengthened partnerships supporting youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
Recognition
Award categories
Four categories. Two for teams, two for individual entries — deliberately balanced so a lone builder and a school club compete on their own terms.
01
Winning Team (Primary)
A school team award for primary-age innovators.
Three places
02
Winning Team (Secondary)
A school team award for secondary-age innovators.
Three places
03
Top Female Innovator
Individual entry. Winner: scholarship, mentorship and learning materials.
Three places
04
Top Male Innovator
Individual entry. Winner: scholarship, mentorship and learning materials.
Three places
Partner with the camp
Sponsorship packages
Four tiers, in Ugandan shillings. Each one is written around what it actually pays for at the camp, not around logo size alone.
01
Platinum · 10M+
For organisations that want to anchor the camp and be visibly associated with rural youth innovation.
Logo on event banner: Large
Press & media mentions: Yes
Social media recognition: Dedicated
Blog feature: Full feature
Speaking opportunity: Yes
Award presentation: Major award
Exhibition table: Yes
Post-event report: Prominent
02
Gold · 5M+
For organisations that want to sponsor a major award category, school outreach, participant materials or mentorship activities.
Logo on event banner: Medium
Press & media mentions: Yes
Social media recognition: Dedicated
Blog feature: Mention
Speaking opportunity: Yes
Award presentation: Category award
Exhibition table: Yes
Post-event report: Yes
03
Silver · 3M+
For community-minded organisations supporting logistics, certificates, meals, publicity or event operations.
Logo on event banner: Small
Press & media mentions: Yes
Social media recognition: Group
Blog feature: Mention
Speaking opportunity: Yes
Award presentation: Category award
Exhibition table: Yes
Post-event report: Yes
04
Bronze · 1M+
For SMEs, individuals and local partners who want to contribute to the success of the camp.
Logo on event banner: Listed
Press & media mentions: Collective
Social media recognition: Group
Blog feature: Listed
Speaking opportunity: No
Award presentation: Yes
Exhibition table: No
Post-event report: Listed
Where the money goes
Budget
Indicative camp budget, in Ugandan shillings. Published in full because a funder should not have to ask. (TBC)
Planning & mobilisation — 12M
Venue & setup — 13M
Participant welfare — 9M
Awards — 9M
Judges & mentors — 11M
Media — 17M
Transport — 5M
Administration — 13M
Contingency — 8M
Total indicative budget — 97M UGX across nine lines. Sponsorship can be directed at a specific line on request.
Two doors
Get involved
Partners can support with goods or services such as tents, sound, internet, transport, printing, media coverage, prizes, learning materials or mentorship. In-kind contributions are valued and recognised within the partnership tiers above.
CITES will work with partners on:
Financial sponsorship
Awards and prizes
Mentorship and technical expertise
Event logistics and outreach
Media coverage and publicity
Register your interest
Sponsoring as an organisation, or entering a young innovator — say which in the message and we will route it.
Two doors, one story