We launched our first Saving Box program in 2021. Savings Box will be a community-led business loan program geared towards both individuals and groups. It will consist of three streams of program delivery tailored to the size of the start-up and each entrepreneur’s needs. Participants of UC Saving Box programs will also receive wrap-around services, such as mentorship and coaching tailored to their unique objectives to further ensure they reach their goals.

Unisphere defines the Saving Box Model as a strategy that is intended to function as a long-term “community capital” to support emerging entrepreneurs at the local level.  The project will enable Individuals and newcomers with no credit history to gain access to knowledge, skills, supports, and loans with no internets. UC will develop the program curriculum in partnership with the participants as well as  test and refine our ‘Savings Box’ model with them. 

By promoting collaboration and leveraging the synergy of groups of businesses, we support newcomers gain social capital and networks to help their businesses, and communities thrive. This model will be the engine of economic growth and in turn, re-investing in the growth of future newcomer entrepreneurs and income generation.

The phases of the Saving Box Program:

1. Identification (Committed Project Participants)
2. Mobilization (kick-off online meeting, introducing members to each other )
3. Planning and Capacity Building (provide the basic business start-up skills and knowledge training to these members)
4. Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation ( Internal and External M&E)
5. Model Review and Re-design for Replication (Replication)