The second phase of the Khan El Askar Children and Youth Development Project, launched by INJAZ Lebanon in partnership with UTOPIA organization and Souk El Tayeb, and funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the Council for Development and Reconstruction, took place in Spring 2017.

Children and youths from the highly marginalized area surrounding Khan Al Askar in Tripoli were provided with a set of educational and extra curricular activities to enhance their future employability and economic opportunities.

22 youth aged 19 to 24 years, completed the INJAZ Lebanon’s Be Entrepreneurial program during which they developed business plans for potential projects. INJAZ Lebanon received 13 business ideas for various start-ups that included services such as catering, education, entertainment, and online applications, as well as innovative products such as car sensors and unbreakable egg boxes.

The pitching competition took place in the Khan on June 29th, 2017. The two winning ideas, a chocolate store and an events management agency, will receive seed funding and follow-up support from the trainers.

English and Computer courses were also provided by UTOPIA organization to 30 participating youths.

On the other hand, 30 children aged 9-10 years also received the Our Families program that teaches them how family members’ jobs and businesses contribute to the well-being of the family and of their community.

The Be Entrepreneurial program allowed me to think more about issues and problems that weren’t obvious to me before. We focused mainly on the target market and on satisfying our clients’ needs. The customized chocolate shop will make customers happy because we will offer them the designs that suit their taste. I love the concept of having my own business! (...)” 
Nouha Masri, Student.