YBI and Citi partnership 2020
- Youth Business International (YBI) and the Citi Foundation renewed their commitment on youth business support programme. Youth Business Russia (YBI member) will be implementing the programme in Russia together with Impact Hub Moscow.
- The new arrangement, as part of the global initiative by the Citi Foundation “Pathways to Progress”, will provide business skills training and upgrade for 4500 young people across Europe, Russia and Kazakhstan and create 1150 new jobs.
Moscow, December 23, 2019 — Youth Business International (YBI) and Citi Foundation announced a new grant arrangement on youth business support in Europe. The “Youth Business Europe” partnership started in 2015 and has been providing aspiring entrepreneurs with an integrated package of financial and non-financial support for strengthening and development of their businesses.
The programme includes business skills training, mentoring support and access to low-interest loans. For the moment, 24 000 young entrepreneurs have received support under the programme. They have either started or strengthened 5700 businesses. The programme helps young talented people in Europe to realise their potential though entrepreneurial activity.
The partnership between Youth Business International and Citi Foundation in Russia is being implemented through Social Impact Award, the programme promoting social entrepreneurship, implemented by
“Throughout the world, Citi is working hard for the benefit of the communities of its presence. Our social investments are addressing three key objectives: business development, providing jobs and financial literacy. We have been working with Impact Hub for 5 years already, and we appreciate our partnership for it supports young people aspiring to make the world a better place through implementing their initiates”, - as pointed Anna Samokhvalova, Head of PR at Citi Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
“Благодаря партнерству с МБР и Citi Foundation у выпускников программы Social Impact Award в России есть возможность продолжать работать с наставниками и опытными предпринимателями, после окончания бизнес-инкубатора, а также запрашивать экспертные консультации и участвовать во встречах сообщества. Мы также надеемся, что благодаря партнерству выпускники получат доступ к новым международным возможностям”, - прокомментировала соучредитель и директор Impact Hub Moscow Екатерина Халецкая. “Thanks to joint work of YBR and Citi Foundation, Social Impact Award alumni in Russia have an access to continuous support of mentors and shrewd entrepreneurs after graduation. They can also receive an expert advice and take part in the meetings of business community. We hope that the partnership programme will provide an access to new global opportunities for the alumni”, - Ekaterina Khaletskaya, Co-founder and Director of Impact Hub Moscow commented.
Key features and objectives of the partnership:
- “Youth Business Europe” partnership was extended to include Russia and Kazakhstan;
- The partnership includes YBI member organisations in 10 counties: Belgium (microStart), France (Adie, Positive Planet), Germany (KIZ), Italy (MicroLab), Ireland (Inner City Enterprise), Kazakhstan (MOST Business Incubator), Netherlands (Qredits), Russia (Youth Business Russia and Impact Hub Moscow), Spain (Youth Business Spain) and Sweden (Swedish Jobs and Society);
- In the coming year, other 4500 underserved young people from member countries will complete entrepreneurship training;
○ 1000 young people will receive support in business start and development;
○ according to the organisers’ estimate, 1150 new jobs will be created;
○ a special attention will be given to women entrepreneurs;
- A new “Young Entrepreneurs in Europe Awards” will be set up and showcase the success stories of young entrepreneurs starting their business from the scratch supported by the programme.
Success stories of ‘Social Impact Award 2019’ winners:
Media contacts:
Anna Safronova, anna.safronova@impacthub.net, +7-915-152-10-52