ETC@GDPU is not intended to be a long term project, the intention is to make all trainees and the institution itself, self sufficient and fully sustainable. This project should last approximately 3 – 4 years, it began with a pilot scheme in May 2017.

The pilot scheme started with an assessment of all those ex Youth Development Programme business groups who trained at Gulu Disabled Persons Union and that were still functioning; as of January 2017 that number stood at 15.

From those first assessments, three groups were be chosen to pilot the support programme under ECT @ GDPU.

The pilot study was successful in showing that the activities and support provided to the groups was of benefit and the full project began with Phase 1 in the summer of 2017. Phase 2 in 2018 took on new groups of trainees and Phase 3, due to finish at the end of 2019, extended skills and business training with all the students from Phases 1 and 2.

ETC@GDPU was largely funded by 2 former VSO volunteers who worked closely with Gulu Disabled Persons Union on the YDP.  The parent charity, ETC of PWD set up in June 2018. It will seek funding for further projects with GDPU, based on what we have learnt here. Funding streams will be sought from a wider group of donors, both individuals and established charities. ETC of PWD will look at crowdfunding, bids for grants from well established funding agencies and direct donations on this website,