Join us for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2020

Anita Tiessen Chief Executive Officer Youth Business International

2020 has been an extraordinary year for all of us, and one that’s especially challenging for young entrepreneurs. 

Every day we are working hard and working together as the YBI network to serve marginalized young people and make entrepreneurship accessible for them. We are grateful and excited to be part of a larger community committed to the power of entrepreneurship. 

Every year Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) brings together entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and policymakers, to celebrate entrepreneurial spirit, foster collaboration and develop a thriving community. This year it’s more important than ever. Over the course of the week GEW will reach and inspire millions of people with a calendar of over 40,000 events  across 180 countries: removing barriers and welcoming all.

At YBI we know when young people become entrepreneurs, they unlock income generation, job creation and economic growth. Yet for too many young people, starting a business feels out of reach, exclusive and unavailable. 

That’s why we support young people around the world to start, grow and sustain businesses, leveraging entrepreneurship to create decent work and drive inclusive economic growth, whilst transforming livelihoods and strengthening communities. 

I am continually inspired by the young entrepreneurs we support and the grit, determination and resilience they display. Young people like the winner of this year’s our Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Amruta Mangale who at a time of great uncertainty and difficulty for young entrepreneurs across the world, showed perseverance and maturity in strengthening her business, retaining and growing her clientele, and supporting her workforce. 

Young entrepreneurs like Amruta, our Young Entrepreneur of the Year, are demonstrating to the world that with the right type of support and attitude, they will be vital to efforts to build back better. 

Running a business isn’t easy for anyone, and young people, particularly those who face barriers to inclusion, need tailored support and a broad network of contacts to best succeed. This is why engaging in global initiatives such as GEW are important as a powerful and uniting voice to highlight what entrepreneurship enables for so many and can lead to meaningful change for millions of young people around the world.  

We are pleased to see GEW focusing on inclusion—a theme that is central to YBI’s work. We’ll be showcasing the innovative pivots of young entrepreneurs facing COVID-19 in India and Bangladesh, highlighting inspiring female entrepreneurs around the world and sharing expert advice and commentary from across our network.  

As a network, our efforts are particularly focused on disadvantaged young people, equipping them to build the skills, confidence and connections they need to overcome barriers and become successful business owners.  

This week we launch our newest report Beating the odds: Supporting youth on the move to become successful entrepreneurs. It is our collective exploration into how we and other stakeholders can help youth on the move (refugees and other migrants and displaced youth) fulfil their entrepreneurial dreams and ambitions.  

Our global network acts as a platform for members to exchange ideas, knowledge and insights, and to collaborate in a way that catalyses entrepreneurs’ success and multiplies impact. Throughout this week, we’ll continue to highlight and spotlight the diverse activities and events that our members have planned.  
 
We celebrate all those involved in GEW 2020. I encourage you to engage with us throughout the week and help us to promote inclusion not only this week, but every day.