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Poland

Standard Chartered continues to support entrepreneurs in Poland through a tailored acceleration programme

on July 8, 2024

Standard Chartered announces ‘BEST by Futuremakers: Make your Business BEST’, a needs-based, outcomes-driven programme dedicated to the development of entrepreneurship in Poland. The programme, part of Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, our global youth economic empowerment initiative, will equip almost 400 young entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to grow and scale their microbusinesses.

Delivered by Youth Business Poland (YBP) and supported by Youth Business International (YBI) with funding from the Standard Chartered Foundation, the programme aims to help young entrepreneurs under the age of 35, especially women and young people from disadvantaged social groups to grow their existing businesses and create greater economic opportunity for entrepreneurs and their communities. One of the highlights of the new programme will be a tailored training programme focusing on participants’ individual needs to boost their ability to run and grow businesses in Poland.

The programme builds on the success of ‘BEST by Futuremakers’ which launched in June 2022 to provide long-term employability and business support for displaced Ukrainians in Poland. BEST by Futuremakers has supported over 15,000 young people to date, giving them tools to develop their companies or to find employment. From this group, over 4,000 beneficiaries used individual counselling and mentoring, while over 1,500 participated in trainings, webinars and networking meetings.

Based on the successes and learnings from BEST, this new phase of Futuremakers in Poland will reflect a simplified and focused approach to create even greater impact for young people in our communities. Throughout the programme, they will be supported by mentors with extensive professional experience, including many colleagues from Standard Chartered in Poland. They will also benefit from personalised counselling, business training, assistance in development of their business models and possibility to apply for additional financial grants.

I am excited to enter this new phase of Futuremakers alongside our incredible partners, YBP, YBI and The Standard Chartered Foundation, to create even greater economic impact for disadvantaged young people in Poland. BEST by Futuremakers has already shown an immensely positive impact on the lives of young entrepreneurs and job seekers in Poland and has targeted diverse communities, promoted greater social inclusion, and created an open environment of learning, collaboration, and knowledge exchange for all participants. We have laid down strong foundations for the future generation of entrepreneurs and, with the enhanced programme, we will be even more focused on economic outcomes to support businesses to grow, helping our communities to thrive. I am proud of the role Standard Chartered volunteers play in the success of our Futuremakers programmes and am looking forward to seeing them continue their support through the giving of their time, skills and expertise.

Anna Urbańska, CEO, Standard Chartered Poland

After the success of BEST by Futuremakers programme, which helped over 15,000 people, we are proud to present the new edition. We will focus on providing personalised support to entrepreneurs so that they receive exactly the help they need. We are committed to a comprehensive approach, offering training, mentoring, and individual development plans. This will enable participants to grow their businesses and create new jobs, directly contributing to the growth of Poland’s GDP. We believe that entrepreneurship is a key element in the future of our economy

Adrian Migoń, CEO, Youth Business Poland

At Youth Business International, we believe in the power of youth entrepreneurship to transform lives and communities. The ‘BEST by Futuremakers: Make Your Business BEST’ programme embodies our commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs, particularly women and those from disadvantaged groups, in overcoming barriers and achieving their full potential. By providing tailored support and resources, the programme will empower these young business owners to drive economic growth and create positive social impact in Poland. We are proud to collaborate with Standard Chartered Foundation and Youth Business Poland on this initiative that fosters resilience, innovation, and inclusive economic development.

Anita Tiessen, CEO of Youth Business International (YBI)