Uganda's predominantly young population drives a thriving MSME sector, yet access to finance remains the single greatest barrier to youth entrepreneurship. Structural inequalities make this worse with female entrepreneurs facing a 20 percent greater financing barrier than men, and nearly three in four young workers are in informal employment, automatically disqualifying them from most financing instruments. The Mastercard Foundation's Young Africa Works strategy is working to address this, with an ambition to connect 4.3 million young Ugandans to dignified work by 2030. While significant research has been done, it has largely centered institutional and supply-side perspectives, leaving the real experiences of young entrepreneurs unheard. This survey, led by the Youth Advisory Group, is designed to change that. It is demand-side, peer-led, and deliberately broad in reach, capturing voices beyond current programme beneficiaries and across underrepresented sectors. Findings will feed directly into recommendations to the Mastercard Foundation and its partners to shape smarter, more responsive financing strategies for Uganda's young entrepreneurs. Please note that all participation in this survey is voluntary and no personally identifiable information will be published.

SECTION A: RESPONDENT PROFILE Q1- What is your age?

Q2 - What is your gender?

Q3 - In which district is your business or primary activity based?

Q4 - How would you describe the location of your business or activity?

Q5 - What is the primary sector of your business or entrepreneurial interest?

If other above please specify

Q6 - What best describes your current entrepreneurial status?

SECTION B - CURRENT ACCESS TO FINANCES Q7 - Have you ever sought external financing for your business or business idea?

Q8 - Which of the following sources have you approached for financing (Select all that apply)

ii. If other above, please specify.

Q9 - For your most recent financing application or attempt, what was the outcome?

Q10 - If your application was declined or partially approved, what reasons were you given or did you observe? (Select all that apply)

iii. If other above, please specify.

Q11 - Overall, how would you rate your experience seeking external finance? (On a scale of 1 to 5)

Q12 - If you have NOT sought external finance, what is the primary reason?

iv. If other above, please specify.

SECTION C - BARRIERS AND STRUCTURAL GAPS Q13 - Which of the following are the most significant barriers you face in accessing finance? (Select your top 3)

Q14 - In your experience, do women and men face different barriers when accessing business financing in Uganda?

v. If yes above, please briefly describe the difference you have observed.

Q15 - To what extent do you agree: "The terms and conditions of financing available to young entrepreneurs in Uganda are fair and appropriate for our stage of business development." (On a scale of 1 - 5)

SECTION D - PREFERED FUNDING MODELS Q16 - Which of the following funding models would you most prefer for your business? (Select up to 2)

Q17 - What is the single most important feature a financing programme must have for you to participate?

Q18 - Are you aware of any of the following programmes operating in Uganda? (Select all that you have heard of)

vi. If other above, please specify.

Q19 - For any of the programmes you selected in Q18 above, have you or someone you know directly participated in or benefited from them?

vii. If yes above, which programme and what was your / their experience?

Q20. If you have received funding or support from a programme (government, NGO, or foundation), what happened after the funding period ended?

Q21 - If a foundation were to design a new youth financing programme, which three elements would make the biggest difference for young entrepreneurs like you?

SECTION E - ECOSYSTEM PERCEPTIONS AND POLICY Q22 - How aware are you of government-funded youth enterprise programmes (e.g. Parish Development Model, Youth Livelihood Programme, GROW)? (On a scale of 1 - 5)

Q23 - How would you rate the effectiveness of government youth enterprise programmes in reaching young entrepreneurs like yourself? (On a scale of 1 - 5)

Q24 - Which actors do you most trust to deliver fair and appropriate financing to young entrepreneurs in Uganda? (Select up to 2)

Q25 - What single policy or regulatory change would most improve young entrepreneurs' access to finance in Uganda?

SECTION F - CLOSING Q26 - Is there anything else you would like the Foundation and its partners to know about your experience accessing financing as a young entrepreneur in Uganda?

Q27 - Would you be willing to participate in a short follow-up interview (30 minutes, virtual or in-person)?

Q28 - If yes above please provide your Name here

Q29 - Provide your preferred contact details (Phone number or email address or both)

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