About the CREATE Program
The CREATE Program (“Enhancing Skills and Enabling Financial Inclusion for Young Women in the Creative Economy”) is supported by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Bayimba Foundation (local implementing partner) and Steadman Global Consulting Limited, which leads the Business Development Services (BDS) and enterprise-transition components. This 3-year initiative seeks to strengthen the economic participation and self-reliance of young people, with a primary focus on young women, in Uganda’s creative economy by blending technical skills development with financial literacy, digital literacy, business development services, employment readiness, and market access.
The program targets an overall reach of approximately 54,600 young people across physical and digital pathways. Through physical delivery, over 730 young creatives have been engaged across key creative domains including Film & Audiovisual, Fashion & Design, Audio & Sound, Media & Digital Content Creation, Writing & Publishing, Poetry & Spoken Word, and Performing Arts.
Rationale for the Consultancy
While young creatives acquire valuable artistic and technical capabilities, creative talent alone does not automatically lead to viable enterprises or sustainable income. Young creative entrepreneurs face a critical gap between readiness and economic opportunity, often lacking commercial capabilities, financial management skills, formalisation (business registration, tax identification numbers, banking), intellectual property protection, and structured linkages to buyers, investors, and off-takers.
To bridge this gap, Steadman Global Consulting Limited is procuring consultancy services to deliver tailored technical assistance, hands-on business clinics, and dedicated Business Development Services (BDS) to 300 creative MSMEs. The consultancy will provide diagnostic assessments, tailored mentorship, business model development, financial inclusion support, compliance guidance, and market-facing pitch preparation to ensure these 300 creative enterprises successfully transition into commercially viable, sustainable, and scalable businesses.
Expected Outputs
It is expected that the consultant will also be expected to employ modern practices, techniques and technologies in conducting the assessment. The following are expected of the consultant:
- To offer Technical coaching, mentorship, handholding and including Intellectual Property Support and advisory services for 300 Creatives.
- Business Modelling and Design Services for Growth Stage Creative Arts Businesses for 300 Creative Arts Businesses
- Business Formalization and Registration of IP, and Regulatory Compliance Support including IP Registration for 300
- Business Translation Support Services – Essentials for Scaling up your Business. for 300 Creative Arts Businesses
- Business Positioning, Digitization and Data Management Support – Onboarding of 300 Creative Arts Businesses
- Aftercare Business Support and Advisory Services for 300 Creative Arts MSMEs
Ethical Considerations
All assessment activities will strictly adhere to Steadman Global ethical and data protection policies, including informed consent, confidentiality, and responsible data management.
Qualifications and Competencies
Steadman Global Consulting Limited is seeking an experienced consulting firm with a strong preference for demonstrated experience in blending technical skills development with financial literacy, digital literacy, business development services, employment readiness, and market access.
The consulting firm should present a highly skilled and experienced team with strong planning, management, facilitation, interpersonal, and communications skills. They should additionally have:
- At least 5 years of proven track record delivering tailored Business Development Services.
- The team should include Business Development, Tax and Regulatory, and Intellectual Property Experts and Mentors with at least 3 years experience.
Special Notice
As part of our safeguarding and protection framework, successful consultancy(s) will be subject to robust reference checks, including verification of past conduct related to safeguarding.
Applicants are not required to make any payments to anyone during any stage of the vetting process.
Application
Application documents should include:
- Cover letter describing their eligibility for the assignment and understanding of the TOR.
- Curriculum Vitae’s for the participating Experts
- A financial proposal (itemized budget).
Applications should be submitted via email: bnyamurwana@steadmanglobal.com copying dkatto@steadmanglobal.com with the email subject “CONSULTANCY TO CARRY OUT TAILORED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES”.
The deadline for submission of applications is September 25, 2026. Only shortlisted consultancies will be contacted.
About the Company
Steadman Global Consulting is a multinational management and development consulting company committed to helping our clients, communities, and countries build, transform, and elevate to greater heights.