Unemployment among the young generation (age 18-24) has become a very serious issue worldwide. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) it is estimated that around 68 million young people around the world have difficulties finding jobs, and 80% of them are located in developing countries. According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), the unemployment rate for Indonesian young generation in 2001 is 24% from the total of young labor force, or reaching around 4.9 million people. The figure reflects a serious problem towards the economic and social conditions in Indonesia. The unavailability of job opportunities for young generation could lead to the increase of criminal conducts and depression. Promoting entrepreneurship is important because it could provide self-employment to the young generation and other community members as well. Indonesian Business Link, a non-profit organization that promotes corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Indonesia, is making efforts to encourage the corporations’ participation to answer the needs. Established in 2003, the Young Entrepreneur Start-up (YES) program is an initiative to push the Indonesian young generation to build their own business as a career choice. IBL with a number of corporations such as Shell Companies In Indonesia, International Finance Corporation (IPC), Standard Chartered Bank, McKinsey & Company, and Progression Indonesia Foundation are the pioneers for this initiative. Bob Moran, CEO and President Director for Shell Companies in Indonesia said, “YES program is a part of Shell Live Wire global network, a program that helps the young generation with brilliant business ideas all over the world to realize their aspiration and simultaneously promotes entrepreneurship as a promising career. In Indonesia, Shell has been supporting the program from the beginning, and is pleased with the enthusiasm from the participants and what they have achieved so far.” The YES program consists of three main activities: (1) building awareness among the young generation showing that entrepreneurship is one of the promising careers for their future. This is done through ‘Bright Ideas’ workshop, (2) the election of young entrepreneur who can be a role model for other Indonesian young generation in ‘Business Start-up Award (BSA) 2006’, and (3) technical coaching and training for young entrepreneurs who have the potential abilities to grow. Business Start-up Award (BSA) 2006 started on January 17, 2006 by conducting a promotional launch in three cities; Jakarta, Bandung, and Yogyakarta. From a total of 1,477 business profiles received by the committee, 87 profiles have met the main criteria: age between 18-32 year old and have run their own business for no more than two years. The next selection involved a panel of judges at local levels, which consists of local businessmen and professionals from various corporations. Only 26 candidates were qualified and finally 8 young entrepreneurs are eligible to advance to the final round. The final round was held simultaneously with the BSA Exhibition and Inauguration Night on June 16, 2006 at Hotel Mulia, Jakarta. The panel of judges chose five finalists in the final round, who will receive cash prizes as their business capital. The panel of judges consists of the CEOs of well-known corporation. The BSA 2006 Exhibition and Inauguration Night is conducted with the support of Merrill Lynch and was assisted by Shell Companies in Indonesia, International Finance Corporation, and Accenture. “Merrill Lynch is very proud to support Young Entrepreneur Start Up Program and would also support the continuous spirit development amongst Indonesian people,” said Lily Widjaja, President Director for Merrill Lynch Indonesia. The Winners: 1. Fanindo Multifarm (Yogyakarta) 2. Cucian Ekspress (Yogyakarta) 3. Xsoft Solutions (Jakarta) 4. Jogja Crayfish (Yogyakarta) 5. Play! Communications (Jakarta) The Finalists: 1. Cyprom Kelola Mediatama (Jakarta) 2. PT Priema Pradhana (Jakarta) 3. Fast Clean (Bandung)
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