- +254 720 808 217
- info@youthvoicescommunity.org
- Nasra, Kayole Spine Rd, Nairobi
Empowering Refugee Entrepreneurs: Business and SMEs Support Program
The Empowering Refugee Entrepreneurs: Business and SMEs Support Program by Youth Voices Community (YVC) is a comprehensive initiative designed to advance the economic inclusion and self-reliance of urban refugees and host community members in Nairobi. The program equips 50 entrepreneurs and 20 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with practical business skills, mentorship, and seed funding, enabling them to establish, grow, and sustain their businesses. By addressing barriers to financial inclusion and entrepreneurship, YVC fosters economic independence, resilience, and integration for refugees and vulnerable host community members.
Business and Financial Literacy
Provide comprehensive training to refugee and host community entrepreneurs to improve their business management.
Facilitate Access to Capital
Offer seed funding to promising businesses and Chama groups to kick-start or expand their ventures, supporting sustainable livelihoods.
Socio Economic Inclusion
Strengthen the integration of refugees into the local economy and promote self-reliance through entrepreneurship.
Support Financial Inclusion
Collaborate with financial service providers to improve refugees’ access to credit, loans, and savings, and advocate for equitable financial services.
Business and Financial Skills Training:
Comprehensive training on budgeting, financial analysis, business planning, market research, marketing, negotiation, risk mitigation, scaling, bookkeeping, and economic rights.
Delivered in two cohorts at the Nasra-Nairobi Center, with certification upon completion.
Business and Financial Skills Training:
Comprehensive training on budgeting, financial analysis, business planning, market research, marketing, negotiation, risk mitigation, scaling, bookkeeping, and economic rights.
Delivered in two cohorts at the Nasra-Nairobi Center, with certification upon completion.
Business and Financial Skills Training:
Comprehensive training on budgeting, financial analysis, business planning, market research, marketing, negotiation, risk mitigation, scaling, bookkeeping, and economic rights.
Delivered in two cohorts at the Nasra-Nairobi Center, with certification upon completion.
Business and Financial Skills Training:
Comprehensive training on budgeting, financial analysis, business planning, market research, marketing, negotiation, risk mitigation, scaling, bookkeeping, and economic rights.
Delivered in two cohorts at the Nasra-Nairobi Center, with certification upon completion.
Mentorship and Coaching:
One-on-one mentorship and coaching sessions to help participants apply their knowledge in real business scenarios.
Structured business visits and ongoing support from experienced business mentors.
Seed Fund Grants
Individual entrepreneurs receive grants of KES 50,000.
Chama groups receive grants of KES 100,000. Rigorous business evaluation and due diligence to ensure responsible fund allocation and business viability.
Microfinance and Savings Groups
Support the formation and strengthening of microfinance initiatives and savings groups (“chamas”) within refugee communities to promote financial independence.
Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement
Engage with key stakeholders to advocate for policies and services that support refugee entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.
Impact on the Community
Business Growth
Job Creation
Improved Household
Women Empowerment
YVC’s Business and SMEs Support Program is transforming the economic landscape for refugees and host communities in Nairobi. By providing practical skills, mentorship, and capital, the program empowers entrepreneurs to become self-reliant, resilient, and active contributors to the local economy by creating lasting, positive change for themselves and their communities.
Overview | Business training, mentorship, and seed funding for 50 entrepreneurs & 20 SMEs in Nairobi |
Objectives | Build business skills, provide capital, promote inclusion, and support financial access |
Activities | Training, mentorship, seed grants, microfinance support, advocacy |
Impact | Business growth, job creation, improved income, financial inclusion, social cohesion, empowerment |