The Foundation is delighted to announce its support for the Enterprise Challenge Pakistan programme, in a new partnership with The Prince’s Trust International.
First established by the COSARAF Foundation’s long-standing partner HRH The Prince of Wales’ Mosaic initiative, the Enterprise Challenge is an educational programme delivered through schools to help students aged 13-18 to develop their personal and professional skills, whilst creating a safe learning environment for them to explore entrepreneurship.
“Building on our long-standing support for The Prince’s Trust, the Foundation’s support for the fantastic Enterprise Challenge Pakistan programme is a fantastic addition to our portfolio of projects in Pakistan.
Haroon Sheikh, Chair of Trustees
Delivered by local partners SEED Ventures, the programme has been running in Pakistan since 2017, with 1,050 young people from 70 schools taking part in the last competition. In light of the challenges the world has felt over the past few months, this year’s Enterprise Challenge will be delivered using digital delivery methods, supported through a new, innovative digital resource ‘Pop-up’ – a business simulation resource.
The curriculum comprises mentor-led sessions in which students learn key business components, such as budgeting and marketing, and apply this knowledge through The Prince’s Trust’s business simulation game. Pop-Up is a new and innovative digital resource that allows students to work in teams to develop an enterprise, with the aim of creating a thriving, sustainable business within 2 simulated months.
Following this, teams use their newly developed entrepreneurial skills to create their own business plans, often an innovative solution to a modern societal, environmental or economic problem. The programme is concluded by a national competition during which teams pitch their business ideas to a panel of esteemed judges, with the winning team being awarded with a grant towards setting up their enterprise. In 2018, an all-female team from the Gilgit Baltistan Regions won the Enterprise Challenge with their plans to encourage healthier diets and the introduction of organic produce in their community.
The winning team is offered guidance in setting up their proposed ventures through mentor support. As well as supporting young people to take part in the Enterprise Challenge, mentors play an important role in this process, by giving young people access to relatable role models from outside their own network.
“Unlocking the talent and realising the full potential of every young person, whatever their background or circumstances, is a cause close to my heart. It gives me great joy to see the sense of worth and belonging Enterprise Challenge provides by extending that much-needed helping hand to those of our diverse communities who need it most.”
HRH The Prince of Wales, Founder of Prince’s Trust International
Prince’s Trust International is the international arm of The Prince’s Trust, the UK’s leading youth charity, founded by HRH The Prince of Wales. The charity works with partners around the world to deliver education, employment and enterprise programmes that empower young people to learn, work and thrive.
SEED Ventures is an impact investment and ecosystem development organisation that works to develop a portfolio of sustainable solutions and products, creating cross-economic partnerships, transferring expertise and knowledge to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, and creating avenues to ensure effective and efficient deployment of local and international funding.
