Intervention strategy

The project adopts a systemic approach based on three pillars:

1. A local approach, involving a local team, local facilitators, and local banks.
2. A partnership approach, formalized by contracts between the various players.
3. An action and research process, promoting networking among young people and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The project supports and frames this approach by strengthening the skills of young people and facilitators, and by encouraging the collective empowerment of young people to strengthen their ability to act together and create networks. The success of this approach also relies on bringing together the players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem supported by the project.

Support for young people with business start-up or development projects

Technical support is provided by support structures, known as facilitators, appointed by the FACEJ. This support, mainly prior to financial support, focuses on : 

• formulating the project idea,
• defining the business plan,
• the choice and legal creation of the company,
• defending the project before the Selection Committee.

Once the financial support has been granted, the young entrepreneurs are offered technical support by the facilitators. This support lasts 12 months for growing businesses and 18 months for new start-ups, and includes : 

• supporting and monitoring the implementation of the business project (installation, investment monitoring, etc.),
• assisting with business management (setting up accounts, marketing, etc.) via individual support and collective training courses supported by FACEJ,
• monitoring and support for regular repayments.

Actors and Territories Involved and Mobilized by FACEJ

FACEJ has established contracts with 63 facilitators across different regions. After selecting nine candidates, FACEJ entered into partnerships with four financial institutions: CORIS BANK, BNDA, ORA BANK, and a meso finance institution, COFINA. The selection of banks was primarily based on the interest rate, which FACEJ negotiated down to 8%, well below the usual bank rates.