UNDP, Citi support young entrepreneurs to achieve SDGs

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation on Thursday awarded five start-ups for providing excellent solutions with significant social impact at the community-level for attaining SDGs.

They were presented with the awards at a virtual conference for the closing event of the Youth Co:Lab Bangladesh National Springboard Programme 3.0, organised by UNDP and Citi Foundation in association with the ICT Division.

For the third consecutive year, Youth Co:Lab is working continuously in order to further the agenda of development and tackling SDGs, reads a press release. UNDP and Citi Foundation co-created Youth Co:Lab as a platform for young entrepreneurs in Asia Pacific towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovative business solutions.

Prior to the closing event, the start-ups — Amar Lab, Kotha, Liter of Light Bangladesh, Mechanic Koi, and ReLeaf — participated in a three-day virtual bootcamp conducted by experts from UNDP.

AmarLab is a health-tech start-up, providing end-to-end diagnostic test services in Bangladesh, while Kotha is a women’s rights organisation tackling the culture of gender-based violence through primary interventions. Liter of Light Bangladesh is a research-oriented social enterprise working on renewable energy lighting solutions, Mechanic Koi is an online platform that provides 360-degree vehicle solutions, and ReLeaf is an urban gardening-oriented social business and platform.

“We have had an amazing journey with Youth Co:Lab. The learning was immensely important to us for that reason. AmarLab is so thankful for this remarkable event,” said Dr Shazzat Rahat Hossain, chief clinical officer of AmarLab.

Prasenjjit Biswas, co-founder and chief communication officer of Mechanic Koi, said: "In the last two days, we have learned so many insightful thoughts from our fellow mentors and participants about social enterprising, which will surely help us to accelerate our start-up in a new path during this tough time."

Team Kotha stated that their significant takeaway from the Youth Co:Lab Springboard Programme has been entering the start-up ecosystem of Bangladesh in such an incredible manner.

Citi Country Officer of Bangladesh N Rajashekaran said: “We are constantly impressed by the innovation of our young Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and their endeavours in addressing SDG challenges.

“Through Youth Co:Lab, we are working closely with the start-ups in order to harness their spirit and inspire them to reach new heights every day. Citi Foundation is proud to join this movement and work on solving some of the most crucial social and economic challenges,” he added.

Sudipto Mukerjee, resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh, said the rapidly increasing number of youth-led start-ups in Bangladesh is a clear signal that a large part of both the Covid-19 response and recovery will be youth-led.

“I am therefore delighted that our Youth Co:Lab, together with Citi Foundation, is supporting young entrepreneurs to set up sustainable businesses that will contribute not only to rebuilding our economies but also to achieving a more sustainable future for all.”

Among others, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Startup Bangladesh NM Zeaul Alam, and Managing Director of Startup Bangladesh Tina Jabeen, were also present at the virtual ceremony.