Launched in 2001, DESAFÍO Joven, or “Youth Challenge”, provides one-to-one mentoring to encourage young people to develop an entrepreneurial spirit and to help them turn their enterprising ideas into a viable business plan.

Each young person is matched with an experienced business adviser who helps them to transform their idea into a viable business plan. The programme also delivers informative talks on starting a business covering issues such as: marketing; legal issues; and, accounting.

DESAFÍO Joven is a partnership between Shell Argentina and ACDE - Asociación de Dirigentes de Empresas (Christian Association of Corporate Executives).

The programme benefits young entrepreneurs with links to partner organisations connected to the world of enterprise, including:

• Endeavor - an organisation that promotes an enterprise culture and supports new ventures. It gives the opportunity for young entrepreneurs to attend lectures and develop their own networks.
• Naves - a business plan competency programme organised by IAE University.
• Inicia - a foundation of entrepreneurs that keeps former DESAFÍO Joven participants informed and updated of relevant training.

Youth Challenge is unique because it is open to all young people aged 20-28 living in the Greater Buenos Aires region regardless of their educational achievements, and each participant receives one-to-one business advice on developing their business plan.

Since the launch of DESAFÍO Joven:

• More than 158,350 young people have had contact with the programme.
• 18,787 have registered to receive information.
• 7,248 have received enterprise training.
• 1,536 young people completed their business plan.

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