Youth Co:Lab

As we kick off the new year, #YouthCoLab alumna Robyn Mijares, Founder of Growschool Philippines and a recipient of the Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Rising Star Award 2024, shares what they do at Growschool Philippines and what inclusive entrepreneurship means to them. UNDP in Asia and the Pacific | Citi Foundation UNDP in Asia and the Pacific, Robyn Camille Patos Mijares

Thank you for an incredible 2024. ✨ Here’s the impact we’re leaving this year with—made possible through collaboration and shared purpose with you, young changemakers and youth empowerment partners. Let’s continue strengthening ecosystems that empower young people through inclusive entrepreneurship to lead, innovate, and scale solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future. UNDP in Asia and the Pacific | Citi Foundation

On this International Migrants Day, we look back at the inspiring story of Jal Mustari, a #YouthCoLab alumni and young entrepreneur advocating for sustainable peace and cultural preservation. Through his start-up, Aretes Style, Jal empowers women in his community by providing alternative livelihoods for internally displaced persons (IDPs). By revitalizing Mranaw crafts, the Mranaw women hand-weave Langkit—a traditional fabric, preserving their heritage while building sustainable futures. #InclusiveEntrepreneurship UNDP in Asia and the Pacific | Citi Foundation UNDP Philippines

In Inclusive Entrepreneurship, what does it mean to leave no one behind? From margins to mainstream: We must transform youth entrepreneurship by addressing the barriers and vulnerabilities young people face. By adopting a human rights-based and gender-sensitive approach, we can promote inclusive opportunities and empower young people to thrive. Our new report, From Margins to Mainstream: Inclusive Youth Entrepreneurship in Asia-Pacific, explores how to empower youth through policies, better access to finance, mentorship, and opportunities for inclusive entrepreneurship. Learn more: bit.ly/YCL-IEreport UNDP in Asia and the Pacific | Citi Foundation UNV Asia & the Pacific, The World Bank

Explore impact stories in our latest #YouthCoLab report, "From Margins to Mainstream: Inclusive Youth Entrepreneurship in the Asia-Pacific Region." 📖 GIMO, a Vietnamese fintech startup by Nguyen Anh Quan, empowers marginalized groups like young ethnic minorities, women, and persons with disabilities—supporting low and middle-income workers with on-demand payment solutions. Read more: bit.ly/YCL-IEreport GIMO (YC W22)

Congratulations to the Springboard ELEVATE cohort 2024 by #YouthCoLab, an initiative co-led by UNDP and Citi Foundation! 🎓 From September to November, young social entrepreneurs from 19 countries dedicated themselves to learning and growing through 12 inspiring sessions on leadership, sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, marketing, and more. A huge thank you and special appreciation to all 22 incredible speakers for sharing their expertise, insights, and inspiration with these young changemakers striving to empower underrepresented communities. Here’s to our graduates as they continue to drive impact and champion inclusive entrepreneurship in 2025 and beyond! #InclusiveEntrepreneurship

What is Inclusive Entrepreneurship? 💭 It is a meaningful engagement process for the involvement of marginalized, vulnerable, and underserved youth groups in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Our new report, From Margins to Mainstream: Inclusive Youth Entrepreneurship in Asia-Pacific, explores how to empower youth through policies, better access to finance, mentorship, and opportunities for inclusive entrepreneurship. Learn more: bit.ly/YCL-IEreport UNDP in Asia and the Pacific | Citi Foundation

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In line with the theme, "Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future," we highlight the importance of inclusive entrepreneurship in driving meaningful change and remind us of the need to create environments where the talents of individuals with both visible and invisible disabilities are recognized and nurtured to drive transformative solutions. Watch the inspiring #YouthCoLab story of StarGallery, a social enterprise that harnesses the creativity of children with autism and AI to design unique games that foster connection and co-creation. The resulting works are sold as NFTs and derivatives, providing vital support to the families of children with autism. Beyond this, StarGallery is pioneering AI-powered art therapy courses and developing AI companion robots to offer psychological support, creating a lasting impact in their communities. UNDP in Asia and the Pacific | Citi Foundation

Today we kick-off our Leave No One Behind Month! So, what does it mean to Leave No One Behind?    For #YouthCoLab, this means reaching underserved communities and driving innovation where it’s needed the most. ️As we approach 2030, amplifying youth-led solutions that empower vulnerable communities to thrive is critical. Together, we’re building an inclusive, sustainable, and hopeful future for everyone through inclusive entrepreneurship.    This month, join us as we celebrate the journeys of our youth empowerment community, which innovates to solve challenges faced by their communities and transform lives to ensure no one is left behind through #InclusiveEntrepreneurship. Find out more about work: https://lnkd.in/g8zuaaqU  UNDP in Asia and the Pacific | Citi Foundation

Here are the #SessionSnapshots from the #YouthCoLab Springboard Elevate 2024 session on “Cultivate Empathy: Pathway to Diversity and Inclusion.” Jey Chan, Startup Support Coordinator of UNDP in Asia and the Pacific, shares insights into leading voices on empathy, diversity, and inclusion and how young entrepreneurs can create a more inclusive world. Learn more about #SpringboardElevate here: https://lnkd.in/gwDErek4.