Policy Papers

In this paper, Youth Business International (YBI) and our member Habitat in Türkiye shine a light on the potential of youth-led businesses that have outgrown microfinance and start-up support but are still considered too small or high-risk for mainstream investment. These businesses—often innovative and rooted in their communities—are overlooked despite their immense potential to create jobs, generate revenue, and drive sustainable economic growth. They fall into the “missing middle”.

With the global SME financing gap estimated at $331 billion in sub-Saharan Africa and £22 billion in the UK alone, the paper positions youth entrepreneurship not as a niche development issue, but as a strategic priority for long-term economic resilience.

The policy paper outlines key strategies to de-risk youth entrepreneurship and enable youth-led businesses stuck in the “missing middle” to scale sustainably, including:

• Designing tailored financial products such as uncollateralised loans and milestone-based funding
• Advocating for regulatory reforms and youth-friendly procurement
• Strengthening financial literacy and investment readiness
• Scaling structured mentoring models and peer learning initiatives
• Supporting high-growth businesses in diverse sectors, including green, creative, and traditional industries

The paper also introduces YBI’s Excellence in Youth Entrepreneurship (EYE) Model, which provides a globally adaptable framework for delivering holistic support, combining personal development, business development, and ecosystem facilitation.