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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.

Success stories

Anna Basile

Italy

“I’ve always felt I’m an artisan, but I’ve never considered myself an entrepreneur. It’s thanks to MicroLab that I’ve changed the way I see myself.”

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Palesa Mashinini's story

Germany

Two hearts beat in Palesa Mashinini's chest. She grew up and went to school in South Africa until 2010 when she moved to Germany to study media science. She has been living and working there ever since.

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Innovation in the face of adversity: Neelima’s story

India

“Entrepreneurs are the real heroes of any nation, who contribute a lot to society. Organisations like BYST and YBI are the manufacturers and supporters of these entrepreneurs and I’m grateful to be part of the YBI family.”

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Alice and Anita

Italy

“We know we will get through this new challenge by keeping our community of customers together. We are developing a new digital strategy for our business, including offering online talks with authors and readers, and introducing an e-commerce platform.”

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Basel Al Sililati

Sweden

Food can help bring home closer. That’s why Basel Al Sililati, born and raised in Syria but now living in Sweden, together with two partners, Ahmad Al Masri and Mohammad Hussein, decided to open a traditional Middle Eastern restaurant near Stockholm.

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Walid Barsali's story

Poland

Walid Barsali has created an online platform that revolutionises the way sport enthusiasts in Poland connect, meet, and book sport facilities.

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Htu Luan's story

Myanmar

In celebration of the International Day of People with Disabilities, we’re shining a light on a remarkable young entrepreneur, Htu Luan, a seamstress from Myanmar who lives with a disability.

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Renny Agfhany

Indonesia

Mother-of-three Renny Agfhany used to work at a bed linen company. To supplement her low income she decided to start her own small bed linen business, and in mid-2019, she decided to leave her old job to focus entirely on her new venture.

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