Young people have the potential to develop enterprises that generate decent employment opportunities, enhance resilience of communities, contribute towards diversification of economies, and have positive impact on sustainable development of their countries. UNDP and The Big Heart Foundation (UAE) are working together in Palestine and Lebanon to provide employment opportunities to youth through creating an enabling entrepreneurship ecosystem around them. This joint project strengthens UNDP’s youth entrepreneurship programmes in Lebanon and Palestine during 2022-2023. 

In Lebanon, the project addresses challenges that youth-led Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) face in accessing new markets, and incubates viable, innovative, impactful and sustainable development solutions, such as social enterprises, non-profits and initiatives. The incubation is implemented by national partners, Injaz Lebanon, Riyada for Social Innovation, and Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) through YLP Inc II programme. 

In Palestine, the project focuses on strengthening the resilience of MSMEs through enhancing business transformation and sustainability. It supports national enterprise helpdesk initiative and develops impact assessments and surveys to inform policy reform processes that would support development of youth-driven and innovative private sector. In addition, youth-led ventures will receive incubation from the local partner, Flow Accelerator, through Shabab+ incubation programme. 

Through addressing both structural barriers and at the same time incubating youth-led enterprises, project aims for long-term sustainable impact. It lays the foundation for innovation and incremental development of policies and institutional capacities to support young aspiring entrepreneurs to contribute towards green growth and resilient societies. 

The initiative is part of a broader framework of UNDP SHABABEEK – Youth Empowerment, Engagement and Knowledge Project, which provides holistic support to youth by building partnerships and creating an enabling environment for youth to thrive and take an active role in their societies.