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The Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) program, part of the Strengthen Entrepreneurship and Innovation initiative under the Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments (3Ei) is dedicated to enhancing the capacity of local entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) and startups, enabling them to overcome challenges such as limited technical expertise, a shortage of local talent, and low resilience. By providing strategic interventions, global networking opportunities, and tailored support, the initiative aims to elevate the quality of services offered by ESOs, foster innovation, and drive sustainable growth within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Helena Habdija is the second Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) in the series for 2024, bringing her extensive experience in youth development and women’s entrepreneurship to the forefront. Her workshop on “Unlocking Success: Designing and Leading Tailored High-Impact Programs” emphasized the importance of designing programs tailored to the specific needs of entrepreneurs and startups in today's dynamic business environment. The session provided valuable insights into effective program design and facilitation, equipping ESOs with practical tools and methodologies for creating impactful programs that foster innovation and sustainable growth.
During the workshop, Helena shared proven techniques for tailoring programs to fit the needs of participants, industries, and contexts, ensuring relevance and effectiveness. Participants learned to recognize the unique goals and challenges of their target groups, design programs that meet these needs, and facilitate engaging workshops that generate actionable insights. The session also highlighted the use of real-world case studies to demonstrate both successful and unsuccessful programs from around the globe, providing attendees with lessons to enhance their own program design strategies. The hands-on exercises and sessions helped the participants apply the concepts to adapt to real world scenarios and facilitated dynamic group interactions. The participants shared that the full-day training was an incredible experience, highlighting Helena's practical approach, which encouraged teamwork and collaboration in co-designing the program. They particularly appreciated her facilitation tips and the valuable insights she provided through global case studies.
The workshop forms part of the broader initiative’s efforts to elevate the capacity of local ESOs by connecting them with international experts. This collaboration not only brings new thinking and methodologies to the local entrepreneurial landscape but also builds a bridge to global networks, supporting startups and ESOs in expanding their market reach and incorporating international best practices.
A post-workshop survey revealed that all participants were highly satisfied with their learning outcomes. They noted significant improvements in recognizing participants' unique goals and challenges, designing tailored programs based on key needs and methodologies, using relevant tools and techniques to enhance facilitation skills, managing group dynamics, employing effective questioning strategies, and facilitating constructive dialogue.
Through the continued engagement of EIRs, the Strengthen Entrepreneurship and Innovation initiative aims to empower local entrepreneurs, enhance the quality of services provided by ESOs, and create a more robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cambodia.
The Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) program, of the Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Investments (3Ei), is funded by Khmer Enterprise (KE), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and co-implemented by Khmer Enterprise and Swisscontact.