The Nawaya Network has been implementing UNICEF’s Generation of Innovation Leaders (GIL) entrepreneurship program in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Nabatieh, and the South since 2016, reaching 8,302 youth.
The program aims to develop the income-generating opportunities for Lebanese and refugee youth from low-income backgrounds through innovation, entrepreneurship and business development training.
The training is followed by an incubation phase through which successful youth-led projects receive further business coaching and funding support to help launch or grow their small businesses.
The program also includes post-incubation support through mentorship, referrals to local, regional, and international competitions, as well as other opportunities within the country.
This entrepreneurship training offers youth the opportunity to learn how to turn problems in their communities into opportunities, conduct field research, determine the building blocks and viability of their solutions and how to pitch in front of a jury.
During this phase, youth receive business development training that enables youth to create realistic projections and a solid financial plan to back up their ideas. This stage is the final qualifier for incubation, with a second round of pitching, and a more solid plan.
Successful youth who move on to the Incubation stage will receive funding support to launch or grow their businesses. They will work with a coach to hone their business skills, develop a prototype, and cover other business topics related to their businesses. Incubation takes 2 to 3 months and follows a proven approach.
Post incubation, youth will receive additional support through mentorship related to key business-related topics, referrals to local, regional, and international competitions, as well as other opportunities within the country.
The entrepreneurship track is part of The Generation of Innovation Leaders program, powered by UNICEF Lebanon, funded by the Government of the Netherlands and The Andan Foundation.