Google.org

Google.org brings the best of Google to help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges — combining funding, innovation, and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone.

About our work with Google.org

YBI is currently supported by a $2 million grant from Google.org to lead a COVID-19 recovery programme in Korea. The programme aims to provide access to entrepreneurial resources and content, training and support to 20,000 underserved social enterprises and small, medium enterprises (SMEs) in Korea. YBI is working with two local delivery partners to deliver the programme: WT Foundation and Impact Square Inc. Read more about the initative here.

This programme follows the success of YBI’s COVID-19 Rapid Response and Recovery Programme, supported by a $5 million grant from Google.org in 2020-21. The funding enabled YBI to deliver a Rapid Response and Recovery Programme backing underserved micro, small and medium-sized businesses, sustaining livelihoods and supporting thousands of communities across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. The programme was implemented in 32 countries and focussed on the most affected business owners, including young people, women, and refugees and other migrants.

A holistic package of emergency support was provided to business owners through YBI’s global network of members and delivery partners, including crisis helplines, targeted advice and signposting, online training through webinars, and mentoring. As part of the programme, Google employees volunteered their time to share their knowledge and expertise, helping business owners to upskill and adapt to the challenges they faced.

Overall, 401, 978 entrepreneurs accessed support across 32 countries, with 95, 628 jobs maintained and 105, 458 businesses still trading by the end of the programme. Read more in our report ‘Refocus, Retool, Reset: Insights from Youth Business International’s COVID-19 Rapid Response & Recovery Programme’, and meet three entrepreneurs supported through the programme in the video below.

Initiatives

2020-2022: COVID-19 Rapid Response and Recovery Programme supported by Google.org YBI’s emergency response programme to support micro, small and medium businesses in 32 countries across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific through the COVID-19 crisis.

Focus on social entrepreneurship in Korea with Google.org YBI’s programme supported by Google.org providing access to entrepreneurial resources and content, training and support to 20,000 underserved social enterprises and SMEs in Korea

Success Stories

Adaeze Akpagbula

Nigeria

34-year-old entrepreneur Adaeze Akpagbula is passionate about green technology and sustainability in agriculture. Having witnessed the struggles of farmers first-hand—especially her own parents—she was inspired to harness IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) climate-smart technologies to transform livestock farming. Through her business Farmspeak Technology Limited, Adaeze is making significant strides in enhancing productivity, increasing […]

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Dareem Jeffrey

Trinidad and Tobago

29-year old Dareem Jeffrey’s entrepreneurial journey began with a mission to combat water scarcity in his home country of Trinidad and Tobago. Growing up in a rural community, he witnessed first-hand the challenges posed by water shortages. This inspired him to create EcoWash, an innovative, ecological carwash system that uses only two litres of water […]

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Keerthana Vangapally

India

29-year-old Keerthana Vangapally’s journey as a social entrepreneur began with a deeply personal experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she fell seriously ill. Her family turned to traditional millet-based recipes to aid her recovery, and the impact was profound. This experience sparked an idea: what if more people had access to nutritious, preservative-free food options made […]

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Sandra Junele

United Kingdom

Sandra Junele, founder of Junele Ltd, is on a mission to combat climate change by turning textile waste into stunning wall art panels and inspiring her community to embrace sustainability. Her innovative business not only transforms discarded materials into beautiful, eco-friendly products but also creates opportunities for education and advocacy. Sandra’s entrepreneurial journey began with […]

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Ronald Mugaiga

Uganda

Ecomak Recyclers, founded by 29-year-old entrepreneur Ronald Mugaiga, is transforming Uganda’s housing landscape while tackling a global challenge: plastic pollution. This forward-thinking social enterprise recycles plastic waste into low-carbon construction materials, including bricks, blocks, and roofing tiles. These products are not only sustainable but also more affordable and efficient to build with compared to traditional […]

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