PROJECTS

Me4You |

Mentoring Entrepreneurship for Youth

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ME4You is a proactive, early intervention strategy and

program to support young people (18-25) with demonstrable

entrepreneurial skills who are at risk of, or experiencing

homelessness, disadvantage or marginalisation into

self-employment by promoting entrepreneurial skills and

developing their ideas into viable enterprises.

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It connects with marginalised youth, builds on their entrepreneurial mindset, and fosters their entrepreneurial capability through guidance and education, business development and innovation support.

ME4You establishes a sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem through a 4 phase program:

• Phase 1 – Accommodation & Wellbeing - Integration with existing support services to provide a level of stability for targeted youth in health and welfare services, housing support services through a strong network of partnership. Ongoing support for at least two years is essential for successful outcomes.

• Phase 2 – Guidance, Education &Training - Fostering awareness and skills in employability, entrepreneurship, business development.  Promoting self-awareness of talents and skills, self-esteem and resilience.

• Phase 3 – Business/Innovation development - Long-term professional support for a sustainable enterprise (individual or group). Access to expert professional assistance tailored to participants’ needs.

• Phase 4 – Evaluation & Research - Ongoing research, evaluation and advocacy, fed back into the program, to inform and influence social policy at a higher level.

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Entrepreneurial thinking has become a key competence of the 21st century: it supports job creation, innovation and economic development. Starting and growing one’s innovative business is a recognised career option and a way to contribute to mainstream social and economic life locally, regionally and globally. Developing ideas into viable enterprises is a new flexible and sustainable option for young people, including those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.

ME4You is based on new entrepreneurship and positive psychology concepts that focus on the strengths and resources of youth, rather than the welfare based approaches that underlie so many public services and support systems for young people.

If you'd like to support ME4You,