The Programme / History

inspiring enterprise around the world

1982

• Shell UK Limited launch LiveWIRE, with support from Strathclyde Regional Council, as an awards competition to encourage and help young people aged 16-25 living in Strathclyde to develop ideas for starting their own business.
• Established primarily as a measure to combat youth unemployment, LiveWIRE linked young people with a raw idea for a business with an individual business adviser who could help them research and develop a viable business plan. Links were also provided to other organisations who could help the business start up.

1983

• 273 young people from Strathclyde entered their business ideas for the inaugural LiveWIRE awards.
• Rosemary Kilmurray, a jewellery designer from Glasgow, wins the first LiveWIRE award.
• Following the success of the Strathclyde pilot, LiveWIRE is launched in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

1984

• The Awards are introduced to the rest of Scotland.

1985

• LiveWIRE launches its first UK-wide awards in September.

1986

• Shell UK Limited announces five years funding for the development of LiveWIRE and appoints Project North East, the Newcastle Upon Tyne based Enterprise and Economic Development Agency, as UK managers of the scheme.  
• The first UK-wide LiveWIRE awards scheme attracts over 3,000 entries, representing 3,500 young people aged 16-25 years old.
• Ginette Brogan from Rochdale wins the first UK LiveWIRE award. Her business is a farm shop. Ginette received the top prize of £3,000 from the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of London, Sir Allan Davis, GBE on 13 May at the Royal Society of Arts in London. 20 UK finalists took part and awards were also presented for the best co-operative and best community business.

1987

• The programme is launched in Australia in partnership with State Governments and the Rotary Club of Australia

1989

• Savia Nueva, LiveWIRE Chile, is launched in Santiago region with ACDE (Association of Christian Businesses) acting as mentor and in 1991 it is also extended to the Valparaison region.

1991

• Sandy Ogilvie is appointed UK Director for LiveWIRE.

1992

• LiveWIRE celebrates 10th birthday and hosts the Enterprise 2002 Conference in Strathclyde to set the scene for enterprise for the next ten years.

1993

• Eletpalya , LiveWIRE Hungary, launches in partnership with Westel and Philips to assist in the development of an advanced market economy and to reduce unemployment.  

1995

• LiveWIRE South Africa is launched, aiming to provide skills training to young people in townships of South Africa.
• Launch of Intilaaqah, LiveWIRE Oman, which was gifted to the Sultan of Oman on his 25th Anniversary as Sultan.  Intilaaqah contributes to the Omanisation of the workforce and also helps increase the diversity of the economy.  
   

1996

• LiveWIRE Netherlands scheme begins initially as a partnership with ABN Amro Bank. The programme aims at any young person and provides skills for business planning. 
   

1997

• Shell LiveWIRE website www.shell-livewire.org is launched. 
   

1998

• Shell LiveWIRE international is officially launched - a partnership with schools, universities, the government and community projects across the world, financed in each country by the local Shell company and their partners. Decision taken by Shell to resource LiveWIRE as a flagship International Social Investment programme.  PNE appointed as programme managers and a target of five programmes per year till 2004.

1999  

• Programme launches in Ireland with support from Shell International, Shell Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards.  Additional commercial sponsors also join in the programme.  International financial support is till 2001 to help embed the programme.
• Shell LiveWIRE in Sri Lanka is launched with support from Shell International and Shell Gas Lanka.  LiveWIRE Sri Lanka offers awareness raising and Bright Ideas workshops to rural and urban youth through Tamil and Singhalese languages.  International support for first three years of programme.

2000

• Shell LiveWIRE International hosts its first international conference in London.
• The Shell Foundation is set up to promote youth enterprise and sustainable energy and complement local social involvement of Shell companies around the world.
• The programme is launched in Mauritius in partnership with University of Mauritius and the Small Medium Business Development Organisation (SMIDO).  International support for the initial three years of the programme.  Business skills workshops are delivered throughout the island of Mauritius and neighbouring island of Rodrigues.
• LiveWIRE in Singapore, a partnership between the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Alumni, the Singapore Times and Shell Singapore, is launched.  International support for the first three years of the programme. 
   

2001 

• LiveWIRE programmes launched in Argentina, delivered in partnership with ACDE, as with Savia Nueva in Chile.  The programme delivers business mentoring and skills to research and write a business plan.  International support for the first three years of introduction.
• In Brazil the programme is partnered with Dialog, a not-for-profit organisation that has experience of delivery in the “favelas” (more challenged areas of Rio de Janeiro).  INICIATIVAJoven is delivered in the Santa Maria district of Rio de Janeiro and also provides workspace and further support for businesses that are started.  Initial three-year programme support from the Shell Foundation.
• LiveWIRE in Brunei is launched and offers Bright Ideas workshops and business skills training to young people to explore business start-up and write a business plan.  Currently in the process of entering into partnership agreement with a global bank company.  One-off support form Shell Foundation in first year only.
• LiveWIRE in Iran or Andisheh-va-Etebar (Thought and Credit in Farsi) is introduced to promote the idea of business start-up to young people who can gain financial support for their business plan through the annual awards.  An initial partnership with UNDP, this programme received no financial support from Shell International or the Shell Foundation.
• Sustainable Development is incorporated in the UK awards judging criteria and in the enquiry process to encourage young businesses to embrace its principles.

2002

• LiveWIRE International now operates in 17 countries.
• LiveWIRE in Romania is launched as a partnership between Shell and CDE (the Romanian arm of the Soros Foundation). ChiarPOTI offers a web-based and region-based support programme in partnership with the Government via regionally based business support centres.  Receives three years of support from the Shell Foundation.
• The programme is launched  in Hong Kong and is delivered in Chinese through youth centres around the Hong Kong area.  Access to business skills training via workshops and mentoring as well as an annual awards programme.  No central support for this programme.
• LiveWIRE Guam is delivered through a partnership between Shell Guam, the Rotary Clubs of Guam and the Small Business Administration (part of the US Government). Guam is a geographically distanced island and relies on the US Naval and Air Force bases for a large part of its economy.  LiveWIRE provides a focus for young people on the island to explore starting a business as a viable career option.  Received a one-off programme start-up grant form the Shell Foundation.
• Intilaaqah Abu Dhabi is launched and is delivered via a partnership between Shell Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abu Dhabi Colleges of Higher Technology, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Ernst & Young.  The programme provides training based on Become a Successful Owner Manager in English via the Colleges and in Arabic via the Chamber.  This programme receives no central support.
• The newly developed LiveWIRE website, www.shell-livewire.org is launched with over 1000 pages of information. It enables enquirers to receive BOPs online as well as including an active Discussion Forum allowing young entrepreneurs to exchange advice and ideas. The project is funded with a £125,000 grant from the New Opportunities Fund. 
   

2003

• The LiveWIRE programme in Pakistan is launched in partnership with the Small and Medium Industry Development Agency (SMEDA) the government body responsible for business support and the University of Karachi Business School.  Tameer is available via a website, Essential Business Kits in printed hard copy format and also through workshops in rural areas.  Receives first three years support from Shell Foundation.
• LiveWIRE in Nigeria is launched in March of 2003, and is the 21st country programme in this the 21st year of the programme.  Operating in the Delta area, the programme will work with the young people of the Delta area to become more economically independent by exploring business start-up.  An annual awards programme will help identify future role models.
• Shell LiveWIRE celebrates its 21st Year and its 500,000th enquiry.