Youth Business International (YBI)

This year, we expanded our global reach, strengthened our impact, and championed systemic change to support young entrepreneurs tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.    From hosting global events to delivering impactful programmes and advocating for inclusive policies, we’ve seen how youth-led innovation drives sustainable growth, social equity, and environmental solutions.    As we look to 2025, we call for bold collaboration to break down barriers and unlock the full potential of young changemakers. Together, we can shape a future powered by youth-led innovation.    Explore YBI’s 2024 highlights: https://lnkd.in/eqVMPa5K #YBIHighlights2024

How can a new business balance purpose with profit? The Sustainability Toolkit programme supported by JPMorganChase aimed to support underserved and young entrepreneurs in Germany, France, South Africa, Spain, and the UK to build more sustainable and environmentally conscious businesses. The Toolkit, now available to YBI members in four languages, is a flexible resource for enterprise support organizations (ESOs) to provide young #entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools to run a more #sustainablebusiness, regardless of their industry. At the end of our two-year programme, we brought together the ESOs who designed and trialled the Toolkit to discuss delivery methods and the next steps in our shared ambition to support more youth businesses to create a sustainable economy. Special thanks to the programme's delivery members and partners: Dones pel Futur Assoc. Catalana Dones Directives Empresàries Empow'Her Fetola FITT gGmbH Fundación Youth Business Spain Fundación ONCE / Inserta Hatch Enterprise UK KIZ – Erst der Mensch, dann die Zahlen Launch It Les Premières IDF MyDough Positive Planet (POSITIV) Social Impact gGmbH TERN - The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network WomHub

Our member Startup Vietnam Foundation’s ‘Master the Money Game’ Accelerator empowers young businesses—especially women-led ventures — to achieve financial stability, build confidence, and balance commercial success with societal and environmental impact. As part of our ‘Unlocking Opportunities for Inclusive Financial Growth’ programme, funded by Standard Chartered Foundation as part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, young entrepreneurs receive training, connections, and the chance to build trusted relationships with investors. The programme also offers non-refundable grants to bring ambitious growth plans to life. Learn more about SVF’s accelerator and our projects in Kenya and Nigeria here: https://lnkd.in/epWxk6dE

YBI’s High Flyers Programme, funded by Argidius Foundation, unites 11 YBI members across 8 countries dedicated to supporting underserved young entrepreneurs to scale their business, boost revenue, and create meaningful jobs. Hear from Zaynab Mirza, YBI Programme Manager, as she shares how the programme’s Community of Practice approach fosters collaboration and shared learning among YBI members to influence our High Flyers support guidelines and create lasting impact for young entrepreneurs around the world. Find out more about the programme: https://lnkd.in/eYMRtacJ

What are your tips for maintaining mental wellness within a team or organisation? 💡 This week, in YBI's Leadership Series, leaders of our member organisations met to discuss mental health. Subject experts from the mental health charity Mid Kent Mind joined the group for a session facilitated by Mark Creighton of All Your Idea. The group discussed how to foster a culture of openness about mental health and harness it as a strength. Henu Cummins from Mid Kent Mind shared six practical steps that leaders can implement to support their mental health and promote it within their organisations: 1. Book physical time/space for yourself 🕰️ 2. Delegate to build 🏗️ 3. Share and connect 🔌 4. Be self-aware 🙋 5. Embrace compassionate care and appropriate challenge 👐 6. Harness your own strengths with sincerity and authenticity 💪

Our Kenyan member Somo is committed to breaking financial barriers for underserved young entrepreneurs. Through our 'Unlocking Opportunities for Inclusive Financial Growth’ programme, funded by Standard Chartered Foundation as part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, Somo aims to empower 185 young entrepreneurs – including 90% women from low-icnome communities – to create and sustain over 1,000 jobs, transforming lives and communities in Kenya. Key features of the project include: ✅ Alternative financing through a unique credit-scoring system ✅ Training in cutting-edge digital tools ✅ Disbursement of 150 microloans ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 ✅ Investor-readiness support for long-term success Learn more about this transformative programme, including our projects in Nigeria and Vietnam: https://lnkd.in/epWxk6dE

Please join us in welcoming our new member DoniLab to the YBI global network! Based in Mali, DoniLab is a dynamic business accelerator dedicated to empowering young entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, create jobs, and drive socio-economic development. We look forward to collaborating with DoniLab on future initiatives to support young changemakers and create lasting impact.

Through our Unlocking Opportunities for Inclusive Financial Growth programme, funded by Standard Chartered Foundation as part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, our member FATE Foundation aims to empower 300 underserved young entrepreneurs in Nigeria — including 60% women — to create and sustain 600 jobs. By providing financial literacy training, tailored business advisory services, and microloans, this project helps traditionally marginalised communities unlock their potential and drive sustainable growth. Discover more about this transformative programme, including our projects in Kenya and Vietnam, here: https://lnkd.in/epWxk6dE

This #InternationalMentoringDay our very own mentoring champion Jo Gray shares her words of wisdom on the importance of mentoring. Learn more about how we support our members to deliver impactful mentoring programmes to young entrepreneurs worldwide: https://lnkd.in/eERUkT2s #MentoringMatters

Harnessing the Leadership Benefits of Mental Wellbeing 💡 As part of our Leadership Series for YBI members, we're grateful to be joined by Henu Cummins, CEO of UK mental health charity Mid Kent Mind, to discuss guidance for maintaining business leaders' mental well-being and that of your team. Whether an organisation is successfully busy or hitting a bump in the road, maintaining the mental well-being of your team can ensure longer-term success. Next week, we'll share key learnings from the session. If you're a YBI-member CEO or equivalent and would like to join the webinar on Tuesday 21 January at 12:00 – 13:30 GMT, contact members@youthbusiness.org.