UK-based foundation launches Zim scheme

A UK-based charitable organisation, Stenom Foundation, will this Saturday launch a Youth Accelerator Program for young social entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe.
This programme aims to reduce unemployment among youths in the country by actively promoting social entrepreneurship, through the provision of access to funding, one-to-one support, business and specialist skills development and mentoring opportunities.

Stenom Foundation’s chief executive, Craig Chimtengo, reiterated the need to capacitate the youth through the creation of employment.
“We will … maximise efforts to increase support and access to information for diaspora youth wanting to start their social businesses in Zimbabwe by collaborating with key local organisations,” the UK-based enterprenuer said.

Chimtengo said the will to expand the foundation’s operations to Zimbabwe was cemented by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s COP26 visit to Scotland and the UK, where he made a clarion call for people in the diaspora to be actively involved in the economic development of the country.

“Stenom Foundation believes that building business with a social impact not only drives economic growth, but also improves and builds resilient communities,” he added. The programme, is a partnership between Stenom and Vest Africa, a youth-led investment and trade promotion company that is profiling and helping young entrepreneurs access funding. The launch is expected to draw representatives from the public, private sector and from non-governmental organisation.