Empowering Entrepreneurship Initiative – empowering entrepreneurship

The Empowering Entrepreneurship Initiative was created to provide direct support for entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Derived from a number of our portfolio products, the Empowering Entrepreneurship Initiative supports young, innovative businesses with a curated combination of mentoring, workshops, network building and funding.

In recent years, the German Development Cooperation has placed a special focus on supporting innovative businesses and startups in emerging and developing countries. After all, it is precisely these businesses that develop innovative solutions to local problems, create jobs, unlock potential for growth, and ultimately become role models and pillars of their societies. The COVID-19 pandemic poses an acute threat to years of hard work to establish and grow these businesses due to its economic consequences, both in the short and long term.

Comprehensive relief programmes, such as stimulus packages that exist in the well established economies, often do not exist in emerging and developing countries. Subsequently, a fast and direct response is immediately needed to provide resources, mentoring and financial support for young, innovative entrepreneurs in emerging economies.

Based on existing support programmes in Germany and their adaptation to local contexts, founders and their businesses can be supported efficiently and effectively to help them sustain their business and grow through this challenging time. The Empowering Entrepreneurship Initiative will allow us to implement a modern solution to development cooperation — one that is focused on sustained economic growth.

Projects

14.08.2020- 31.05.2021

Mexico, Jordan, Kenya, Indonesia

COVID-19 Relief Program for Tourism

Boosting Tourism businesses

The COVID-19 Relief Program for Tourism is currently supporting 130 young, innovative businesses in Mexico, Kenya, Indonesia, and Jordan through dedicated mentoring, financial backing of up to 9,000 Euros, and expert workshops.

Why Tourism?

Tourism is one of the sectors hit the hardest by the COVID-19 crisis. One in ten people around the world are employed within the tourism sector, and millions of jobs are now at risk as a result. As a sector, tourism allows for numerous income opportunities for a diverse range of people from all backgrounds in emerging markets.

The COVID-19 Relief Program for Tourism aims to empower local tourism structures to maintain jobs, create new prospects, and help destinations revive international tourism and collaborate with the key actors in the German tourism industry.

17.08.2020

Egypt, Jordan, Ghana, Kenya, Indonesia

COVID-19 Relief Program

The COVID-19 Relief Program, part of the Empowering Entrepreneurship Initiative by enpact, provides 200 businesses in Egypt, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya and Indonesia across all sectors with dedicated mentoring, financial backing, and business development support.