Social Innovation Academy

SINA tackles failing education and resulting unemployment in Africa through creating self-organized and freesponsible learning spaces, where disadvantaged youth unleash their potential for positive change as social entrepreneurs.

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From Marginalized Youth to Social Entrepreneurs

About us

A cost-effective and self-governed community approach provides a pathway, tools and the mindset for marginalized youth and refugees to shape a vision for their future and create new solutions in form of social enterprises with benefit to society and the environment.

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Number of SINA Communities

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Social Enterprises created at SINA

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Jobs created through SINA Social Enterprises

News

See what happens at Sina

From Aid to Agency: Empowerment through Social Entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa – A Case Study of the Social Innovation Academy

Published on October 9, 2024

as published by Human First Works and as adapted from the research of Ronja Kötzer: “From Aid to Agency: Empowerment through Social Entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa – A Case Study of the Social Innovation Academy” “Since joining SINA, I feel like I have been empowered to know what I want to do with my life […]

Open Call: Videography Intern/Volunteer at SINA (Social Innovation Academy)

Published on October 4, 2024

Are you passionate about storytelling and social impact? Do you have skills in videography and a desire to use them for a meaningful cause? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you! SINA is seeking a dedicated and creative Videography Intern/Volunteer to join our team. This role involves capturing the untold stories of our […]

Call for Volunteers and Interns: Fundraising, Communication and Impact Measurement

Published on October 4, 2024

SINA (Social Innovation Academy) is a global movement that empowers marginalized youth and refugees to become active drivers of their own futures. We have established ten self-organized and “freesponsible” learning spaces, known as SINAs, where individuals create their own curriculum and gain the skills necessary to develop social enterprises. Our scholars are not just beneficiaries; […]

“Awarded Ecosystem success Story” by LAP Alliance on SINA

Published on September 27, 2024

After winning the Haier ZeroDX Award, which the LAP Alliance and the Corporate Rebels nominated SINA for, another case study emphasizes SINA’s commitment to nurturing changemaker-makers who not only uplift themselves but also drive sustainable development in their communities. LAP Alliance has published a detailed case study on the SINA (Social Innovation Academy), highlighting our […]

SINA mentioned in Forbes

Published on September 22, 2024

After the thrilling announcement that SINA (Social Innovation Academy) has been honored with the prestigious ZeroDX Award, SINA was also featured in Forbes, celebrating our transformative model that allows young people to create the change they wish to see as social entrepreneurs and lead their communities out of poverty. The award reinforces our commitment to […]

2007

Kankobe Children's Home

Etienne Salborn volunteers in the Kankobe Children’s Home in Uganda and creates an educational sponsorship program for orphans after leaving the orphanage.

2009

Formation of Jangu

The sponsorship program reaches 30 students and "Jangu e.V." is founded to manage them professionally.

2013

Collective Idea for SINA

The 1st generation of sponsored youth completes High School but drowns in youth unemployment. In an Open Space the idea for a space where youth create their own jobs is born.

2014

Jangu International

The 1st SINA is created by collectively building the model, culture and the space in Mpigi with 15 Ugandan facilitators, international experts and Jangu e.V. graduates.

2015

Proof of Concept

The 1st SINA Community grows to 50 members and proves that marginalized youth can unleash their potentials and become social entrepreneurs through self-organized and freesponsible education.

2016

Proving Scalability

Three refugees find SINA, join and 9 months later make "SINA" their social enterprise by replicating the model into the Nakivale Refugee Settlement.

2018

UNHCR Innovation Award

SINA is replicated by and for refugees in the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement and wins the UNHCR Innovation Award. A partnership starts to replicate SINA in Zimbabwe with UNHCR.

2019

SINA Global

SINA Global is established to serve a growing network of SINA Communities, hundreds of social enterprises born at SINAs and support further replications across Africa.

2023

Exponential Impact

With 12 SINAs in 5 African countries and strategic partnerships, a freesponsible and regenerative movement for exponential scale and impact is emerging.

Partners & Supporters

"I'm living my dreams and not dreaming my life!"

Joseph Bwinika

Founder of Tucheke Movies Production, Nakivale Refugee Sttlement

"Before I joined SINA I didn’t know what to do with my life, I was scared that I was going to be a failure because I had no hopes of continuing with studies but after joining SINA and through a lot of empowerment and coaching, I realized my passions and regained hope for success and created a change in my life."

Joan Nalubega

Founder of Uganics

"I am now strong emotionally and no longer put blame on anyone for the challenges that I met in life and I uphold challenges to give me solutions. I was able to find my passion and create a social benefit to the society out of it."

Angella Marjorie

Founder of the Gejja Women Foundation

"Before SINA, I was not able to express myself and give my view about challenges that affect me and my community, after SINA am able to pursue my passion and dreams of fashion and supporting persons with disabilities with the help of life coaches and mentors. SINA has changed my life through discovering myself, identifying and developing my passions and it has kept me thinking and creative all the time. I am an empowered leader now and have been able to create an enterprise. "

Juliet Namujju

Founder of Kimuli Collections

"SINA has impacted me in many ways. It is the place and environment where I discovered myself deeply. I learned how to find solutions towards problems and pains I had."

Turatsinze Victor

Co-Founder of Unleashed in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement

"SINA is a life transforming environment which is giving hope and meaning to life of youth. I was hopeless and I didn’t know what I was going to do but since I joined SINA I am now developing my professional skills and my personal growth. It is helping me to become an entrepreneur."

Sylvain Himbana

Co-Founder of SINA Loketa in Bidibidi Refugee Camp