Ready for Business (R4B)

Ready for Business is a self-facilitated and activity-based learning programme jointly developed by the ILO together with the International Training Centre and the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan that helps vulnerable youth develop the entrepreneurial skills needed to start their own business, creating decent jobs for themselves and others.

The Ready for Business entrepreneurship programme consists of 45 modules which are divided into six themes that covers basic business management and soft skills. Each module consists of a case study, practical exercises, a quiz on the module learnings as well as a challenge or “homework” to complete before the next session. After finishing all themes, students will have completed a business plan for an idea that they select at the onset of the programme.

The ILO has piloted R4B together with UNHCR and local partners Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia and Dompet Dhuafa in Indonesia. The pilot aimed to improve the self-reliance of refugee and local youth by improving their business and entrepreneurial skills, promote emotional well-being and strengthen their relationship with the host community. The preliminary findings demonstrate immediate, evidence-based impact of the programme on measured outcomes for supported youth.