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| Photo: UNDP |
The Challenge received an overwhelming 142 applications within just one week, from which the top 23 startup ideas were selected. These teams engaged in an intensive bootcamp, equipping them with essential skills to turn their ideas into sustainable social enterprises. The bootcamp featured workshops on entrepreneurship, design thinking, financial management, business modeling, professional networking, resource mobilization, and media training.
Key activities included:
Training and Sharing: Participants gained critical skills through workshops, enabling them to develop their ideas into viable social enterprises.
Pitching Ideas: The selected teams presented their innovative ideas at the Green One UN House in Ha Noi, receiving valuable feedback from an esteemed panel of judges.
Connecting and Mentoring: Beyond the event, participants will continue to receive guidance from mentors, helping them refine their projects and achieve long-term success.
"We can't scale things up alone, but when we collaborate and come together, we can amplify the change,” a participant remarked. “Becoming a part of the LGBTI+ Youth Innovation Challenge helped validate our idea and pushed us in the right direction. We received help and support from people who work in and for the community, and learning from other attendees, founders, and passionate individuals who bring the same energy into the field makes a big difference".
The initiative emphasizes community-driven entrepreneurial solutions, engaging private sector actors and investors to ensure the long-term sustainability and social benefits of the projects.
"Everyone has different identity and whether it is LGBTI, youth, enterprise, but I hope that no one will be vulnerable because of that identity," said Ambassador of the Netherlands to Viet Nam Kees van Baar.
“We believe that entrepreneurship serves as a catalyst for LGBTI+ youth to enhance leadership skills and understand organizational management, legal contexts, and problem-solving,” said Ms. Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam. “We trust that the challenge will be a valuable platform for young people, to build an enabling environment for economic inclusion of LGBTI+ youth that provides equitable access to opportunities”.
The selected innovative projects are expected to grow and create a more inclusive and equitable future for the LGBTI+ community./.