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News from Youth Business International October 2011

Showcasing the work of Youth Business International – a global network of independent initiatives helping young people start their own business

YBI makes significant commitment to the MENA region at the Clinton Global Initiative

Exciting new partnership between the Kenya Youth Business Trust and Comic Relief

First two winners announced in the Entrepreneur of the Year competition 2011

HRH The Prince of Wales meets young entrepreneurs at the Perth Races in Scotland YBI makes significant contribution to the MENA region at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York

Youth Business International announces a commitment to help address the jobs crisis in the Middle East and North Africa through the creation of 7,000 new businesses.

From left to right: Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan; Andrew Devenport, YBI Chief Executive; Abdulaziz al-Mutairi, CEO of The Centennial Fund, Hamida Essma, Enda inter-arabe; President Clinton at the CGI event in New York

Chief Executive of Youth Business unemployed than adults. The creation which has helped 4,000 young International Andrew Devenport was in of successful, sustainable businesses is people start their own business. New York City to make a commitment to one of the most effective ways to reduce work with The Centennial Fund, a leading unemployment and create growth. The partnership will enable YBI to increase member of YBI based in Saudi Arabia. the scale of its two members in Saudi “We need to raise approximately US$24m Arabia and Syria (BIDAYA) and create YBI will focus its attention on six countries to fulfil this commitment,” said Andrew new partnerships across the other four – Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Devenport. “We are urging organisations countries, which will result in integrated, Arabia, Syria and Tunisia – with the who are interested in building a stronger country-wide youth aim that over three years 7,000 new entrepreneurship culture among young interventions in each location. businesses will be created, resulting in people in the Middle East and North Africa 20,000 jobs throughout the region. to work with us to turn this commitment YBI is already in discussions with a into a long-lasting legacy for the region.” number of partners from government, The recent events of the Arab Spring business and civil society to secure the have demonstrated the urgent need for a To implement the partnership, YBI resources needed for this commitment specific focus on job creation for youth in will build on its extensive experience but is looking for more organisations the MENA region. Youth unemployment in youth entrepreneurship around to join the commitment to build a in the region is at 24% in North Africa the world, particularly through the powerful partnership to address the and 25% in the Middle East, and young contribution of The Centennial Fund jobs crisis in the MENA region. people are four times more likely to be

News from Youth Business International October 2011 2 Exciting new project in Kenya begins to deliver results

A new partnership between YBI and Comic Relief in Kenya has already produced its first graduate trainees.

A new three year partnership is enabling YBI member in Kenya, the Kenya Youth Business Trust (KYBT), to reach over 500 young people in the Kibera slum area of Nairobi. The programme aims to provide young people with comprehensive training to improve their employment prospects. From these young people over 100 will go on to receive YBI’s model of training, technical support and access to capital, helping them start their own business in their community. Above: Members of the first outreach session work together on an employment skills task The Kibera slum is the third-largest urban slum in the world and its directly, enabling them to set up in Manager Eunice Ogolo said: “For me residents live in the most challenging business and generate employment. the greatest impact of the training on conditions, lacking access to services For the young people who receive the young entrepreneurs has been an such as electricity and running water. training but do not go on to receive a improvement of self-confidence and Unemployment in Kenya is estimated loan from KYBT, their job prospects will belief. They have been able to see at 40% and this rate increases have been significantly improved by the the possibility of running successful even further for young people. established course of employment skills businesses and even expanding to which KYBT delivers through the ‘Start employ others. Crucially they have KYBT has developed strong ties Your Business Idea’ programme. The acquired relevant skills and some best with communities in Kibera and second course, ‘Improve Your Business’ practice rules of entrepreneurship!” works to encourage young people is aimed at active entrepreneurs who into self-employment through would like advice on how to grow The programme also has a special focus entrepreneurship, creating jobs and and develop their businesses. on improving the employment prospects growth in their communities. of women in the Kibera slum. Currently, The first graduating group, 19 due to a lack of experience and low levels The project, which started earlier students from Start Your Business of confidence among women, only 30% this year, will run until March 2014. and 13 from Improve Your Business of the entrepreneurs that KYBT support In this time KYBT will deliver a received their diplomas at a ceremony are female. This project will ensure comprehensive outreach programme in Nairobi in late September. that 60% of those trained and those that combines training with loan and supported to start in business are women. mentor support. The overall aim of the Commenting on the effects of the project is to build participant’s skills programme so far KYBT Programme The project will also help to create links across communities in Nairobi and to improve the living conditions of the young people engaged in the project. As part of this initiative, KYBT will recruit new mentors from within the Kibera community.

“This is an exciting development both for YBI and KYBT,” said Andrew Devenport, YBI Chief Executive. “This partnership with Comic Relief will allow us to strengthen civil society and provide sustainable employment in one of the poorest communities on the planet.” Above: The first graduating class receive their diplomas in Nairobi, Kenya

3 First two winners announced in the YBI Entrepreneur of the Year competition 2011

Amena Begum wins the Barclays Capital Journey to Enterprise title and Deki Wangmo from the Kingdom of Bhutan is selected as the Woman Entrepreneur of the year.

Don’t forget that voting for the People’s Choice Amena Begum, who owns Amir Tailors In another of the competition’s main award is open to everybody and Boutique in the Bangladeshi capital categories, the selection panel named of Dhaka has been chosen as the winner Deki Wangmo from Thimpu in the NOW (Nov 10-16 2011) of the Barclays Capital Journey to Kingdom of Bhutan as the Woman Log onto http://awards. Enterprise award. Entrepreneur of the Year 2011. youthbusiness.org to watch video profiles and cast your Amena established her business as a Deki is a successful automotive vote for the winner! means of supporting her three children entrepreneur who realised that after being widowed as a young woman. there was a demand for a local tyre Amir Tailors and Boutique has since retreading firm in Thimpu. Previously grown into a firm employing eight staff her customers had been forced to with strong links to some of the key travel to India for a similar service. with her tireless determination retailers in Bangladesh. Alongside her and remarkable work ethic. growing business Amena manages a Her business is highly entrepreneurial, training centre where she shares her skills managing to both exploit a gap in Currently Deki works 12 hour with other vulnerable young women. the market andbring a much needed days, six days a week and shares service to the local community. in the highly physical work of In a first for the Entrepreneur of the lifting and resoling the tyres. Year competition, the staff of key Despite the fact that Bhutanese tradition supporter Barclays Capital selected dictates that women usually stay at She does all this alongside raising Amena from a shortlist of three finalists home and support their husbands, Deki a young child and providing for after watching video profiles online. has established a thriving business in members of her extended family. a highly competitive sector. She has Staff at the bank decided that it found such success that her highly The two winners will both fly to was Amena who best embodied the profitable business is employing London, along with a representative of criteria for the Journey to Enterprise eight staff, including her husband! the YBI member who supported their award, having overcome significant business, where they will be guests adversity on the road to becoming Choosing Deki from a strong field of of honour at the Entrepreneur of the a successful entrepreneur. candidates, the selection panel said Year awards dinner in November. they were particularly impressed

Above: Bhutanese entrepreneur Deki Wangmo Above: Amena Begum alongside some of the goes over the accounts at Buddha Tyre Resoles vulnerable women that her organisation supports.

News from Youth Business International October 2011 4 HRH The Prince of Wales meets young entrepreneurs at the Perth Races in Scotland

Six entrepreneurs who received support from The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) had the chance to present their products to YBI President HRH The Prince of Wales.

The Prince was attending The Prince’s Charities Race Day at Perth Race Course, an event hosted by the Prince to support his many charitable concerns. The night before the races PSYBT hosted a fundraising dinner which generated almost £100,000 for the charities.

The Prince met with volunteers from the charity and a selection of Scottish entrepreneurs, ranging from a handmade craft soap manufacturer to the owner of a knit wear and textiles company. The young business people shared their experiences of the challenges they faced setting up in business and the support they received from PSYBT.

Rounding off a sucessful day, and in a real boost to the profile and of PSYBT, the charity and entrepreneurs were featured on national television show ‘The Hour’. Top: HRH The Prince of Wales meets with young Scottish entrepreneurs Bottom: Staff and volunteers were out in force raising money for PSYBT

Youth Business Kong launches community outreach on Commercial Radio

Youth Business Hong Kong (YBHK) has and the challenges they faced on partnered with Commercial Radio, one their journey to business success. of the region’s oldest radio networks, to launch two exciting new programmes This new wave of programmes provide aimed at encouraging and supporting a significant amount of media exposure young business people. for YBHK, helping the public appreciate both the organisation’s important The first programme, ‘Open Biz’, is work and the determination of young a reality radio programme featuring people who choose an entrepreneurial YBHK entrepreneurs pitching their career, while providing more job business ideas to a panel of expert opportunities for other young people. business people. In the one-hour episodes the entrepreneurs were Equally important is the fact that the able to promote their business and two series have given some young get feedback on their ideas from the businesses people priceless exposure experienced guests who also provided to professional expertise and advice. valuable suggestions and advice. YBHK have received positive feedback ‘On A Clear Day’ is a chat show focused from the episodes which have been on the experiences of entrepreneurs in broadcast so far and hope to secure Hong Kong. In each of the 19 episodes new series in future schedules host Vincent Wong interviewed to further promote the cause of Above: Mentors and entrepreneurs take part in a different YBHK entrepreneur to youth enterprise in Hong Kong. recording of the new shows on Commercial Radio. learn more about their business

5 Stories from around the Caribbean

A round up of the many exciting examples of cooperation and enterprise development taking place among YBI members in the Caribbean.

YBI members in the Caribbean continue (MOU) to provide financial support and system. The new training elements to deliver a range of new services and mentoring as part of the roll-out of micro- have been developed alongside the exciting events to their members. enterprise assistance throughout the new YBI Mentoring Toolkit which is Here is a short round up of what has been region. freely available to all YBI members. The happening in the region. curriculum incorporates various adult Barbados Youth Business Trust learning techniques such as lectures, Belize Conference will continue in its role as the lead demonstrations, role playing programme with responsibility for fund and group activities. YBTT has reported For the past four years, YBI members management, sharing best practice, that mentors enjoy and value the Belize Youth Business Trust, Barbados driving the start-up of new programmes training and find it beneficial to their Youth Business Trust, Youth Business entrepreneur relationships. Trinidad & Tobago, and the Jamaica The MOU, which is worth US$340 000 to Youth Business Trust have been working the Caribbean Group of Youth Business All YBTT trained mentors were recognised together as part of an Inter American Programmes was signed by Executive on the 25th of August at an event Development Bank project. Because Chairman of CIBC Mr Michael Mansoor, following the fourth AGM. Mentors were all these regional members share and Chairman of the Barbados Youth presented with Training Certificates such similar challenges, the chance Business Trust, Mr David Clarke. and reminded of the importance of to exchange dialogue and share best their contribution to the success of the practice face to face is invaluable. A programme. regional Belize conference provided this opportunity. Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) recruits new mentors at YBI CFO Maarten Rooney attended successful open day the conference to talk about the new Salesforce Operations Management A sucessful event saw fourteen new System (OMS) system that is being mentors recruited and ten entrepreneurs introduced across the network to improve Above: BYBT and CIBC renew their partnership given the chance to promote their our data gathering and analysis powers. businesses to members of the media and public. Belize has been a pilot member in the project roll out, and the results they have New mentoring programme in There were also feature addresses by acheived with the powerful new data Trinidad and Tobago the Minister for Youth and Culture, The tool has generated significant interest Director of the Youth Development from other Caribbean countries. “We are Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago Division and the Caribbean Regional really excited about the results in Belize (YBTT) is already reaping the rewards Technical Co-ordinator of the Caribbean and the prospect of extending the OMS from its new mentoring programme. group of Youth Business Trusts. throughout the region”, said Maarten Since establishing the scheme earlier Rooney. this year four training sessions have DYBT is hopeful that the open day, been completed, resulting in 17 fully which is intended to become an annual First Caribbean International Bank trained mentors and 14 trained business event, will provide entrepreneurs with (CIBC) has renewed its support of mentors being paired with young new avenues for exposure and above Caribbean members entrepreneurs. Business mentoring is an all successful enterprise development. extremely important aspect of YBTT’s opportunities. One of the region’s largest banks has service to young entrepreneurs. The restated its support for YBI members organisation has completely revised its in the Caribbean with a renewed business mentor training curriculum, Memorandum of Understanding creating a competency based training

News from Youth Business International October 2011 6 News from Youth Business International

Media Week. During a live video chat, businesses and volunteers from the two organisations challenged their colleagues on the other side of the world to think of creative ways of making everyday products more innovative. The event was a cultural exchange that helped both parties step outside of their comfort zone, and their time zone! Above: Mentors from Singapore and take tea at the offices of the Singaporean Foreign Affairs and Law Minister

Youth Business China Argentine and Scottish mentors visit Singapore entrepreneurs connect online as part of Social Media Week A delegation of Youth Business China (YBC) mentors from Fujian Province Technology is providing innovative new visited Singapore in July to engage in ways for members of our global network a regional dialogue and gain a better to connect and share their experiences. understanding of the situation for YBI members Fundación Impulsar, based young business people throughout in Argentina and The Prince’s Scottish Asia. The delegation met with Youth Youth Business Trust have recently Business Singapore (YBS) to discuss taken part in a live streaming ‘innovation local strategies that are being used challenge’ as part of international Social to promote entrepreneurship.

During the trip the Foreign Affairs and Above: A Ukrainian entrepreneur meets with her mentor Law Minister of Singapore hosted tea for both mentor groups, concluding Youth Business Ukraine an effective and rewarding few promotes mentorship days of exchange and dialogue. In August Youth Business Ukraine In another sign of the ever expanding (YBU) launched a new project aimed at regional cooperation among YBI developing mentoring. Supported by the members in Asia, YBS is working Finnish Embassy in Ukraine, the project with Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust will encourage mentoring through a (BSYT) in India to establish a mentor range of promotional activities including exchange programme later this year. information campaigns, a range of Global Entrepreneurship Week events and a series This initiative is one of many ways of training seminars for potential mentors. that Asian members engage through the Regional Hub they established An important part of this drive to in 2008. These members meet recognise the importance of mentoring is in person four times a year to the YBU Mentor of the Year competition. promote stronger regional learning A winner (together with a winner of the networks and to facilitate business Entrepreneur of the Year nomination) opportunities for their programmes. Above: Argentine and Scottish will be announced during the Women entrepreneurs working together online Entrepreneurship Forum in October this year. The Woman Entrepreneurship YBI Network Review Forum is a three day forum with a series reaching high places of training sessions, debates and group discussions. It was during the visit of YBC mentors to Singapore that YBC Board Advisor, retired Senior Minister Winners of the competition will travel with of State for Law and Home Affairs Associate a delegation from the Ukraine to the 2012 Professor Ho Peng Kee (left) presented a copy of GEW Global Entrepreneurship Congress in the YBI Annual Report to President of Singapore SR Liverpool, UK. Nathan. The Network Review, released earlier this year, is reaching some pretty influential hands.

7 News from Youth Business International

The scheme has been established in 100th entrepreneur, Pavel Morozov, recognition of the fact that YBU needs presented his plan to develop a business to recruit more mentors in order to meet manufacturing automated vending its ambitious expansion plans. The machines selling flowers and gifts. Pavel organisation is using the revamped YBI intends to install his units in areas mentoring toolkit to develop a complete with limited shopping and locations new training course for mentors. without sales staff to take advantage Innovations include special training of otherwise untapped opportunities. aimed at potential mentors and sessions outlining the role of the mentor-client YBR has quickly established itself as relationship in effective mentoring. one of the fastest growing members of the Youth Business International global YBI and Barclays Capital network, having expanded into multiple organisation Enterprise UK nominated for Charity Times regions since its formation in.2007. concluded operations. Award Of seven shortlisted entrepreneurs The role of UK host further cements Youth Business International network who presented business plans to the YBI’s position as one of the team have been nominated for a panel in Novosibirsk Oblast, four were world’s leading networks engaged prestigious Charity Times Award. YBI approved for funding, including a small in supporting enterprise and has been shortlisted in the category hotel, a footwear retail business and entrepreneurs around the world. of Corporate National Partnership of a business manufacturing composite the Year, for its Unlocking Enterprise materials for industry. The panel “As one of the world’s largest Partnership with Barclays Capital. expects upwards of 25 extra jobs to networks dedicated to helping young be created by these four businesses. entrepreneurs create their own business, This award recognises partnerships we are delighted to be the new national between charities and corporate Two representatives of KPMG, a partner of host for Global Entrepreneurship Week organisations on a national level the programme in Russia, also took part in the UK,” said Andrew Devenport, Chief which are demonstrably beneficial in the Selection Panel, namely Svetlana Executive of Youth Business International. to both organisations, and which Skryagina and Denis Chernikov, director has had quantifiably beneficial of the Novosibirsk branch of KPMG. He added, “With the majority of new results over the last year. jobs being created by companies YBI becomes the new less than five years old, we believe The awards incorporate the whole UK host of Global that it is essential to find new ways range of disciplines within charitable Entrepreneurship Week of encouraging entrepreneurship.” management; from governance, finance, fundraising and campaigning In addition to providing 10 country hosts Global Entrepreneurship Week is the through to the use of technology and from within its international membership, world’s largest celebration of the the application of sound business Youth Business International has been innovators and job creators who launch principles. In addition, recognition is awarded the position of country host for start-ups that bring ideas to life, drive afforded to those professional service Global Entrepreneurship Week in the UK. economic growth. It was established companies working most creatively in 2008 and has grown to run in 115 and effectively within the sector. The role was offered up for competitive countries, reaching 10 million people. tender after the previous host The winner will be choosen from a shortlist, which includes YBI member in England, the Prince’s Trust, at the Charity Times Awards dinner in October.

Hundredth entrepreneur receives support from Youth Business Russia

Last month Youth Business Russia (YBR) passed another important landmark in a year of impressive growth, supporting their 100th entrepreneur. The award was made during the first meeting of the Selection Panel in the Novosibirsk Oblast, one of the new regions that YBR is operating in. The Above: The Novosibirsk Oblast Selection Panel have approved support for YBR’s 100th entrepreneur

News from Youth Business International October 2011 8 News from Youth Business International

Successful Loden entrepreneur national survey to explore perceptions and confidence they need to develop launches Help Shoe Bhutan and motivations of young Canadians outstanding innovative businesses. project towards innovation and entrepreneurship and the results Winner chosen in YBI An entrepreneur who received vital inspired its new innovation program entrepreneurial survey support from Bhutanese YBI member for young entrepreneurs – the competition the Loden Entrepreneurship Programme Spin Master Innovation Fund. (LEP) has launched a project to YBI has recently completed a survey of give back to his community. Dawa The survey found that Canadians need entrepreneurial attitudes around the Dakpa, who runs a successful shoe help seeing that businesses in their world, polling over 1000 entrepreneurs laundry in the country, has launched own country can ‘make it big’. 16% in 21 countries. The survey looked a project called Help Shoe Bhutan. of respondents believed that the next at two key issues: barriers and big business idea or innovation would motivators to starting up a business The project will collect old shoes from come from Canada. In comparison, people in Thimphu and other urban 42% believed that this big idea would There is a distinct lack of understanding areas, clean and repair them and come from Asia. Belief in Canada’s of the impact of differening attitudes distribute the shoes to the rural villagers. entrepreneurship potential decreased to enterprise around the world. YBI’s Dawa hit upon the entrepreneurial social with the age of the respondents. global network allows it to draw on an enterprise when he realised many urban huge evidence base of entrepreneurs Bhutanese throw away perfectly good The biggest barriers to entrepreneurship in over 30 countries and provide shoes while many rural farmers and their were cited as money a good idea (28 answers to these questions. families sometimes do not have any. %) and a strong network (14%). As an incentive to participate in the The Help Shoe Bhutan project is an The Spin Master Innovation Fund offers survey, one lucky entrepreneur was excellent example of a socially worthwhile $50,000 in start-up financing, world- selected at random to win a prize. project that can also generate profit class mentoring, business networking for the enterprising business person. and resources and more to help The winner was Chinese entrepreneur young entrepreneurs across Canada Wang Ruipeng from the Pinggu District Dawa runs the project, and generates transform their unique and innovative of . Wang runs the Beijing Green revenue by charging for the cleaning ideas into successful businesses. Hill Sheep Breeding Company, which and repair of the old shoes, which recieved a loan from Youth Business he hands over free of charge to the Entrepreneurs Armen Bakirtzian, China in 2010. Youth Business China Tarayana Foundation for distribution Andre Hladio and Richard Fanson, of was one of the largest participants in the in remote parts of the country. In a Avenir Medical received support survey, entering over 100 entrepreneurs. further show of entrepreneurial flair through the Spin Master Innovation Dawa has managed to engage the Fund for their product, PelvAssist™. In the coming weeks Wang will take national Bhutan Broadcasting Service, part in a professional photo shoot, who agreed to promote the “Help Shoe PelvAssist™ is a surgical tool that paid for by YBI, that he can use to Project” with free media coverage. improves the hip replacement process. promote his growning business.

Tapping into Canada’s Through programs such as the Spin The results from this first YBI survey innovation potential Master Innovation Fund, young will be launched during Global entrepreneurs in Canada have access Entrepreneurship Week 2011. The Canadian Youth Business to the resources, mentoring, contacts Foundation recently commissioned a

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Editor: Ewan Gaffney, YBI Communications Manager

Please vist our website to be added to the distrubution list for our quarterly newsletter. Above: Help Shoe Bhutan is fixing up and recycling used shoes for the rural poor in Bhutan

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