UZURI K&Y
UZURI K&Y
(
Private sector
)
#SDGAction53021
Description
We are a 4R technology footwear company dedicated to addressing environmental pollution and youth unemployment. Our core focus is on recovering, reducing, recycling, and reusing wasted car tires to produce high-quality and affordable eco-friendly shoes. By doing so, we aim to meet the demands of conscious consumers in the global market. In addition to our environmental mission, we are actively empowering youth by equipping them with practical and soft skills, enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial potential. Through our training programs, we have successfully trained 1200 youth, with 70% of them being women. As a testament to our impact, 10 individuals have already established their own micro businesses. Together, we are making strides towards a cleaner environment and creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. Our vision is to position Africa as a recognized source of sustainable fashion items in the global market, emphasizing our commitment to ethical practices and environmental consciousness.
The UZURI K&Y initiative is carried out through a systematic and structured approach, focusing on key areas such as production, marketing, social impact, and sustainability. Here is a breakdown of how the initiative is executed: 1. Production: UZURI K&Y operates a production facility where skilled artisans transform recycled car tires into high-quality footwear. The production process involves sourcing and preparing the materials, cutting and shaping the components, assembling the shoes, and conducting quality checks. UZURI K&Y ensures adherence to strict quality standards to deliver durable and fashionable products. 2. Marketing and Sales: The initiative includes marketing and sales efforts to promote and distribute UZURI K&Y footwear. This involves developing marketing strategies, creating brand awareness, engaging with target audiences through various channels (such as social media, e-commerce platforms, and retail partnerships), and managing customer relationships. The aim is to reach a wide customer base, both locally and internationally, and drive sales growth. 3. Social Impact and Community Engagement: UZURI K&Y is committed to making a positive social impact. This is achieved through various initiatives, including skill development programs, job creation, and empowerment of marginalized communities, particularly youth and women. UZURI K&Y actively engages with local communities, partnering with organizations, and implementing projects that contribute to social inclusion and economic independence. 4. Sustainability Practices: The initiative incorporates sustainable practices throughout the value chain. This includes the recycling and repurposing of car tires, reducing waste and environmental impact. UZURI K&Y prioritizes responsible sourcing, minimizes water and energy consumption, and strives for ethical and fair labor practices. Continuous efforts are made to improve sustainability, adopt eco-friendly materials, and explore innovative solutions to reduce the environmental footprint. 5. Continuous Improvement and Innovation: UZURI K&Y emphasizes continuous improvement and innovation in all aspects of its operations. This involves staying updated with market trends, customer preferences, and emerging technologies. UZURI K&Y conducts research and development to enhance product design, manufacturing processes, and sustainability practices. Feedback from customers, stakeholders, and industry experts is actively sought to drive innovation and deliver products that meet evolving needs. By executing these activities with precision and a commitment to excellence, UZURI K&Y ensures the successful implementation of its initiative, delivering eco-friendly footwear, creating social impact, and driving sustainable business practices.
UZURI K&Y is committed to capacity-building and technology transfer as part of its initiatives. Here are the arrangements in place: 1. Training and Skill Development Programs: UZURI K&Y invests in training and skill development programs for its employees and community members. This includes providing technical training in footwear production techniques, quality control, design, and other related areas. By equipping individuals with these skills, UZURI K&Y enhances their capacity to contribute to the production process and supports their personal and professional growth. 2. Partnerships with Educational Institutions: UZURI K&Y collaborates with educational institutions, such as Rwanda Polytechnic schools, to facilitate capacity-building and technology transfer. Through these partnerships, UZURI K&Y shares its expertise in shoemaking and sustainable practices, while also gaining access to a pool of talented individuals who have received formal training in relevant fields. This enables the transfer of knowledge, skills, and best practices. 3. Knowledge Sharing and Mentorship: UZURI K&Y actively engages in knowledge sharing and mentorship initiatives to transfer technology and expertise. This includes participating in entrepreneurship programs, mentorship networks, and industry events. By sharing their experiences, best practices, and lessons learned, UZURI K&Y contributes to the development of the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem and supports the growth of other businesses in the sector. 4. Research and Development: UZURI K&Y invests in research and development activities to drive innovation and technology transfer. This involves exploring new materials, production techniques, and sustainable solutions in the footwear industry. By staying updated with the latest advancements and collaborating with industry experts, UZURI K&Y ensures the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and practices. 5. Continuous Learning and Improvement: UZURI K&Y fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the organization. This includes encouraging employees to attend relevant workshops, conferences, and training programs to enhance their skills and stay informed about industry trends. By promoting a learning mindset, UZURI K&Y facilitates the transfer of knowledge and ensures the adoption of new technologies and practices. Through these arrangements, UZURI K&Y actively promotes capacity-building and technology transfer, both within the organization and the wider community. These efforts contribute to the growth and sustainability of the footwear industry and support the development of a skilled workforce in the field.
UZURI K&Y initiative is governed through a structured governance framework that ensures effective decision-making, accountability, and transparency. The governance structure consists of the following key components: 1. Founders and Executive Team: The founders, Ysolde Shimwe and Kevine Kagirimpundu, play a central role in the governance of UZURI K&Y. They provide strategic direction, make key decisions, and oversee the overall operations of the company. 2. Board of Directors: UZURI K&Y has a board of directors that provides guidance and oversight. The board is composed of experienced individuals with expertise in areas such as business management, sustainability, finance, and entrepreneurship. They contribute to the company's strategic decision-making and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. 3. Advisory Board: UZURI K&Y also benefits from an advisory board consisting of external experts and industry professionals. The advisory board members provide specialized guidance and support in areas such as market trends, product development, sustainability, and social impact. Their input helps shape the company's strategies and ensures alignment with industry best practices. 4. Internal Policies and Procedures: UZURI K&Y has established internal policies and procedures that govern various aspects of its operations. These policies cover areas such as financial management, human resources, quality control, and environmental sustainability. They serve as guidelines for employees and stakeholders, promoting consistency, compliance, and ethical conduct. 5. Stakeholder Engagement: UZURI K&Y actively engages with its stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, and local communities. Regular communication channels, such as meetings, surveys, and feedback mechanisms, are in place to gather input, address concerns, and foster collaboration. This inclusive approach ensures that the voices and interests of all stakeholders are considered in the decision-making process. Through this governance framework, UZURI K&Y maintains strong leadership, effective oversight, and a commitment to responsible business practices, ultimately driving the company's mission and achieving its goals.
UZURI K&Y has a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework in place to assess and measure the effectiveness and impact of its initiatives. The M&E system includes the following components: 1. Performance Indicators: UZURI K&Y establishes clear performance indicators that align with its objectives and desired outcomes. These indicators are measurable and trackable, allowing the organization to monitor progress and assess the effectiveness of its activities. 2. Data Collection and Analysis: UZURI K&Y collects relevant data on a regular basis to evaluate the performance of its initiatives. This data includes both quantitative and qualitative information, such as sales figures, customer feedback, employee feedback, and social impact metrics. The organization utilizes various data collection methods, such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups, to gather comprehensive and reliable data. 3. Impact Assessment: UZURI K&Y conducts impact assessments to understand the broader social, economic, and environmental effects of its initiatives. This assessment involves analyzing the long-term outcomes and benefits created by the organization, such as job creation, skills development, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment. It helps UZURI K&Y measure its contribution to positive change and identify areas for improvement. 4. Stakeholder Engagement: UZURI K&Y actively engages with stakeholders, including employees, customers, partners, and the community, to gather feedback and insights on its performance. This engagement allows the organization to understand stakeholders' perspectives, address concerns, and continuously improve its operations and impact. 5. Continuous Improvement: Based on the findings from the M&E process, UZURI K&Y implements improvements and adjustments to enhance its effectiveness and maximize its impact. The organization uses the evaluation results to inform strategic decision-making, refine its programs and initiatives, and ensure ongoing alignment with its mission and goals. By implementing a robust M&E system, UZURI K&Y ensures accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement in its operations. It enables the organization to track progress, measure outcomes, and make data-informed decisions to optimize its impact on social, environmental, and economic fronts.
Segal Family Foundation, Africa Business Heroes, BESTSELLER Foundation
SDGS & Targets
Goal 8
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
8.1
8.1.1
Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita
8.2
Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors
8.2.1
Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person
8.3
Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
8.3.1
Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex
8.4
Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead
8.4.1
Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
8.4.2
Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP
8.5
8.5.1
Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities
8.5.2
Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities
8.6
8.6.1
Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment or training
8.7
Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms
8.7.1
Proportion and number of children aged 5‑17 years engaged in child labour, by sex and age
8.8
Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment
8.8.1
Fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers, by sex and migrant status
8.8.2
Level of national compliance with labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining) based on International Labour Organization (ILO) textual sources and national legislation, by sex and migrant status
8.9
By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
8.9.1
Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate
8.10
Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all
8.10.1
(a) Number of commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults and (b) number of automated teller machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adults
8.10.2
Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a bank or other financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider
8.a
8.a.1
Aid for Trade commitments and disbursements
8.b
By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization
8.b.1
Existence of a developed and operationalized national strategy for youth employment, as a distinct strategy or as part of a national employment strategy
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|
Deliverables & Timeline
40000 recycled car tires
1200 youth people trained
One production unit
5 retail stores
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
Feedback
Action Network
Share
Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Region
- Africa
Geographical coverage
Other beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of UZURI K&Y include: Employees, Customers, Youth and women in marginalized communities, Artisans and craftsmen, Local communities, Environment (through sustainable practices), Partners and collaborators.
More information
Countries
Contact Information
Kevine Kagirimpundu, Chief executive Officer
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