Supporting the survival and recovery of youth-led MSMEs in the wake of COVID-19

Funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation as part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, the programme will provide crucial support to over 33,000 young entrepreneurs in six countries across Africa, Asia and Europe.

Priority will be given to traditionally disadvantaged business owners who have been particularly affected by the COVID-19 economic crisis, including rural, micro and female entrepreneurs, business owners with disabilities and visual impairments and those excluded from formal financial support

Programme Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating effect on the global economy with micro, small, and medium enterprises hit particularly hard. Traditionally disadvantaged groups, including young people (aged 18-35 years), women, refugees and other migrants, and those with disabilities and visual impairments are struggling the most to keep their businesses afloat. They need support now.

YBI is rolling out a support programme, funded by Standard Chartered Foundation, to help over 33,000 underserved young entrepreneurs in six countries get through and recover from the crisis. The initiative is implemented by our members and delivery partners ETIC in Japan, FATE Foundation in Nigeria, Habitat in Turkey, ICCO Uganda, KIZ in Germany and Young Africa Botswana.

The aim of the programme is to ensure that a diverse range of young entrepreneurs will contribute towards a richer, more varied and more resilient economy for everyone.

Programme Structure

The programme will provide a wide range of crucial support to young entrepreneurs, including:

• Mentoring
• One-to-one consulting
• Peer coaching
• Advisory helplines
• Online resource platforms
• Pitch competitions and awards
• Webinars
• Workshops
• Business clinics
• Thematic seminars

These support services will help young entrepreneurs with business model adaptation, entrepreneurial leadership, crisis management, financial risk management, digital transformation, marketing and more.