Programs and Projects

GYCO Academy strives to empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

The Art & Education Center is a meeting place for the post-war generation in Northern Uganda. It is a center for young people to be trained in the fields of art, personal development and leadership. The center also offers courses in crafts, agriculture and architecture. All participants of the training programs are equipped with the skills they need to build their own future. The GYCO Academy team gets trained by coach training specialists from Erickson International. With this training the GYCO Academy team members become themselves coaches so that they can support the personal development of even more young adults.

Goals of the GYCO Academy Art and Education Center

GYCO Academy Art and Education Center will forge close partnerships with small, local enterprises, craftsmen and craftswomen. GYCO Academy Art and Education Center will serve as a place for encounters, a place for discourse, reflection and discussion and as a training center for Gulu youth.

Mission of the GYCO Academy Art and Education Center

Through the GYCO Academy Art and Education Center, we support local GYCO Academy youth leaders (nine at present, who have taken the first steps towards becoming the driving force for change in their respective communities) in their work with Northern Ugandan youth on a local day-to-day basis. In particular, we aim co contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 4.7 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality) and 10.2 (Reduced Inequalities), and create a measurable and visible impact that can be audited by independent auditors at any point in time.

All members and participants of GYCO Academy Art and Education Center are given a chance to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development, amongst others..

Digital literacy is essential for youth to compete in a global economy and access new opportunities.

 Basic computer and digital literacy training
 Social media and digital marketing skills

 Introduction to coding and tech innovation
 Online learning and job search support
 Digital entrepreneurship initiatives
Expected Outcomes:
 Increased digital competence among youth
 Access to online opportunities and markets
 Innovation and tech-driven solutions

Focus on Young Women

Uganda’s society is still characterised by widespread inequality between men and women. That is where GYCO places particular emphasis on supporting the development of young women and promoting their skill and knowledge acquisition. Young mothers receive coaching in their own personal development as well as in issues pertaining to family and education. With this training the girls should become better leaders and excel in their fields of talent. GYCO created a safe place where girls and children can relate with one another.

Achieving a mind shift through coaching

An essential part of the GYCO program is the coach training for the GYCO team on site. When 2018 Carmel Lee Paul, an experienced coaching expert, was asked to support GYCO, she did not hesitate and travelled to Gulu, Northern Uganda, to meet the GYCO team in person. There she immediately realized: Yes, she would like to support these committed young adults to develop themselves and to accompany other young men and women in the “motivating – inspiring – transforming” vision. Carmel Lee started to tirelessly activate her coaching network. At a worldwide conference of Erickson International, an international coaching training provider, she presented GYCO and the coaching project. Coaching colleagues from all over Europe then contacted her to participate in the program. She also received support from two Coaches from the German network elccon and was able to put together a training curriculum for the team in Gulu.

Experienced German coaches Christiane Windhausen and Melanie Lüninghöner started with a week specifically focused on working with emotions and trauma, an important skill for the post-war generation. Erickson Coach Trainers Asta Blazinskiene and Inga Yashina then taught the Parent as Coach Training, and then their coaching colleagues Miglena Doneva and Moera Saule conducted the Erickson Coaching Training “The Art and Science of Coaching (TASC)” curriculum in a total of four sessions, each lasting four days as well as three days of drawing and scribing by Inga Yashina to some 20 young people at GYCO in Gulu. The coaches worked on a pro bono basis, with travel costs partly financed by donations.

The training does more than just promote the personal development of each individual. The GYCO team can also leverage the coaching instruments to support other young adults in their own personal development. The participants received their Erickson certification, and some will also continue work in order to be certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

This is particularly crucial for the further development of the GYCO Art & Education Center, so that it can establish itself as a recognized educational institution – and one that will be self-financed one day and thus no longer dependent on donations from abroad.

“It was just wonderful to see how the young people in the training program worked on themselves and are now also capable of supporting other young people in their personal development efforts. We can achieve a change of mindset. In turn, this will have a positive impact on the country’s development,” says Carmel Lee Paul.

Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment
Equipping youth with business skills enables self-reliance and reduces unemployment.
Key Activities:
 Entrepreneurship training programs
 Business idea development and incubation
 Financial literacy and savings training
 Access to mentorship and coaching
 Linkages to microfinance and funding opportunities
Expected Outcomes:
 Increased youth-led businesses
 Improved financial management skills
 Sustainable income generation

Gyco Art – Hub for Ugandan Artists

At the Art and Education Center, experienced international artists and curators share their expertise and technical knowledge with local artists.

The GYCO Art Board has already discovered several talented artists whose works have been successfully exhibited and sold in Austria.

Art from Northern Uganda encompasses most forms, namely painting, sculpture, dance, performance, literature, and philosophy. Photography, video and new media will also be integrated and established.

GYCO would like to develop a hub for Ugandan art as a new market for contemporary art to revive the region and attract more artists and interest from international investors and supporters.

Africa is currently the focus of donor countries. Migration has to be stopped and self-determination promoted while democratization and human needs to be established. African culture is to be brought into the public perception as an independent stylistic position of art.

One successful example is the African art fair, ART Dakar, DAK’Art.

The art trading company Artcare in Vienna supports GYCO by offering selected works by young artists from Gulu for sale on the company’s online platform. 50% of the sale go to GYCO and 50% to the artist. Artcare only retains any costs for shipping the artwork to the buyer.

Look at: https://www.artcare.at/thomasvava

INTRODCTION

Sustainable Livelihoods Through Agribusiness

Agriculture remains a key economic activity in Northern Uganda and presents a viable pathway
for youth employment and income generation.
Key Activities:
 Climate-smart agriculture training
 Demonstration farms and practical learning sites
 Poultry, piggery, mushroom, and crop production projects
 Agribusiness and value chain development training
 Savings and cooperative group formation
Expected Outcomes:
 Increased youth participation in agriculture
 Improved food security and income generation
 Development of youth-led agribusiness enterprisesThe Horticulture Demonstration Farm focuses on horticultural crops, primarily fruits and vegetables.

Informed Choices for Healthy Futures

Youth require accurate information and support to make informed decisions about their health
and relationships.
Key Activities:
 Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) education and awareness sessions
 Menstrual health and hygiene programs
 HIV/AIDS prevention and testing campaigns
 Life skills and relationship education
 Youth-friendly health service referrals
Expected Outcomes:
 Increased knowledge of SRH issues
 Reduced teenage pregnancies and infections
 Improved health-seeking behaviour

Malaria prevention program (community awareness)

 Implementation of malaria prevention project underway
 Village Health Teams (VHTs) trained and actively engaged in community outreach
 Focus on awareness, prevention, and early treatment