To support underserved youth to start, grow and sustain businesses– enabling them to create jobs, build communities and transform lives. - United Nations Partnerships for SDGs platform

#SDGAction32126

To support underserved youth to start, grow and sustain businesses– enabling them to create jobs, build communities and transform lives.

Description
SDGs & Targets
Deliverables & timeline
Resources mobilized

Description/achievement of initiative

YBI aims to support 1 million young people (18-35 years) to start, strengthen and grow sustainable businesses by 2025. Its global network of expert organisations is present in 50 countries across 6 continents, working to develop new solutions to the critical challenges facing young entrepreneurs. In turn, they help to create more jobs, strengthen communities and foster sustainable development, impacting SDG5 (Gender Equality), SDG8 (Decent Work), and SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities). YBIs work is supported by Accenture, Citi Foundation and Inter-American Bank Group who have been instrumental in helping them increase the impact of their network.

Implementation methodologies

YBIs members have diverse expertise in youth entrepreneurship support services. YBI supports them to scale their impact through: delivering training and capacity building initiatives including peer learning exchanges; supporting members to innovate their services; and connecting members to relevant partners to leverage resources and influences.  YBI members provide young entrepreneurs training they need to thrive in todays changing world of work. This spans business, digital and soft skills. YBIs commitment to mentoring sees young entrepreneurs paired with an experienced volunteer business mentor to guide them through the challenging early stages of establishing a business. YBI members also support young entrepreneurs to access finance. In alignment with the SDGs, they are building their expertise as a network in working with rural youth and youth on the move and ensuring their work both promotes gender equality and reduces inequalities.  To achieve YBIs goal of reaching 1 million young people by 2025, they will focus on four strategic pillars. Firstly, they will scale their impact through network expansion and innovation in delivery, unlocking resources and supporting members to scale. Secondly, they will work with members to evolve their capacity to enable more young people to start, grow and sustain their business. Thirdly, they will continually evaluate and learn from work, sharing their findings and contributing to the evidence base on what works in youth entrepreneurship. Finally, they will ensure their sustainability through a membership of strong, locally rooted organisations served by a committed Network Team. 

Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer

Coordination mechanisms/governance structure

Partner(s)

Youth Business International (YBI); Accenture; Citi Foundation; Inter-American Development Bank Group; Argidius Foundation

Progress reports

Goal 5

5.b - Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women

Goal 8

8.3 - Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

8.5 - By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value

8.6 - By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

Goal 10

10.2 - By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

Goal 17

17.16 - Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries

12 / 2022

National strategies for youth employment supported in their development or operationalization in 2 countries (Indonesia, Philippines)

12 / 2025

1,000,000 young people trained in relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, ICT skills and soft skills

12 / 2025

250,000 youth-led enterprises created or improved

12 / 2025

60 youth employment stakeholders supported through technical assistance, capacity-building or peer learning

Financing (in USD)

5,000,000 USD

Staff / Technical expertise

A growing London-based network team of over 30 staff coordinates and leads global activity, with responsibility for driving network growth and quality.

In-kind contribution

YBI provides non-financial support including mentoring, entrepreneurship training and other business development support such as training in business practice, bookkeeping and financial management. 