Profile

Mission statement

BIDAYA's mission is to work with young people, providing access to financial support to those with a viable business proposition but who are unable to find help elsewhere. The word BIDAYA means “beginning” in Arabic and is also an acronym for, “Boosting and Inspiring Dynamic Youth Achievement.” The non-profit private foundation provides successful applicants with volunteer business mentors and full access to the organization's local and national business support network.

Objectives

• To create jobs by offering an outlet to young Syrians with potential business force.
• To contribute to the expansion of the private sector by deepening the pool of national entrepreneurs.
• To help fill the gap of Syria 's lending system by meeting the financial needs of very small businesses: needs that can not be addressed by the conventional banking system.
• To give hope and provide role models to unemployed young people.
• To provide support and encouragement through mentoring and where appropriate, to provide guidance and training.
• Special care should be made to finance environmentally sound businesses.

What is YBI and BIDAYA?

YBI is an international network of Youth Business Programs (YBPs) helping disadvantaged young people to become entrepreneurs by providing business mentoring and funds. BIDAYA is one of the YBPs.

The role of YBI

YBI helped establish BIDAYA and continues to provide training either directly or through its group of consultants and regional centers. Global and regional conferences and the YBI web network are used to help develop ideas, exchange best practice and benchmarks.

Partners of BIDAYA

BIDAYA is an accredited program and part of the YBI network of YBPs. It was established in Damascus by FIRDOS (Fund for Integrated Rural Development of Syria - which is now part of the Syria Trust for Development), SYEA (the Syrian Young Entrepreneurs Association), and MAWRED (Modernizing and Activating Women's Role in Economic Development).