<big>What is Futuremakers?</big>
Young people around the world face significant barriers to economic inclusion, with some 200 million out of work or in low-income poverty.1 Women and girls bear a heavier burden, because of social and cultural influences that limit their economic participation, particularly in emerging markets.
Futuremakers by Standard Chartered is our global initiative to tackle inequality and promote greater economic inclusion. We pledge to help young people from low-income communities, with focus on women and girls – to learn new skills and improve their chances of gaining employment or starting their own business. To support this, we’ve made a commitment to raise USD75 million between 2019 and 2023, with an aim to empower the next generation to learn, earn, and grow.
Established in 2019, Futuremakers comprises of community projects within three interconnected pathways: education, employability, and entrepreneurship. We provide support to low-income young people at different points in their early lives, encourage social change in the environments that surround them, and work to address barriers to their economic participation.
Our non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners are at the heart of the implementation of Futuremakers projects. With their dedication and on-the-ground experience, together we’ve reached more than 849,000 young people between 2019 and mid-2022.
Meet our Futuremakers to see how the initiative is transforming lives.
<big>Success stories</big>
Taking steps to inclusive employment
Below are just a few examples of how this Futuremakers’ employability project is improving career prospects for young people in Ghana, Uganda, and Zambia.
Ghana - Paul’s story
At just 19, and together with friends, Paul started a mentoring programme for young people in low-income communities. They were eager to expand but lacked the skills and expertise to do so. Via his work placement in local enterprise Premium Precious Salt, Paul developed various skills including writing, project management, communication, and leadership. Most importantly, he notes, the Challenges team gave him confidence in his abilities. With his new insights, Paul now plans to expand his mentoring programme. He has also secured a full-time job.
“I am confident to have learned, experienced, and understood the essential values for growth that my academic education probably overlooked.”
Paul Asare Bekoe, Junior Associate
Uganda - Equatorial Power’s story
“[We were] always open to young and talented people, but our perception has been further confirmed by our involvement in [the project].”
Representative, Equatorial Power
As a renewable energy production enterprise, Equatorial Power is working to ensure universal access to electricity and clean water in Africa. Before engaging with this Futuremakers’ project, Equatorial Power needed someone to perform various office- and field-based tasks. They also wanted someone to conduct analysis into the company’s weaknesses and solve issues they felt blind to.
Zambia - A mentorship story
Zambia-based Standard Chartered employee Valerie mentored Chawinga for a two-month period, following his enterprise placement. COVID-19 restrictions didn’t hinder the mentorship; through virtual sessions, Valerie helped transform her mentee’s confidence.
“The [young person] JA was almost in tears. He has a terrible stammer and lacked in confidence. He constantly talked about how he has never had a mentor like Valerie before. She helped him gain more confidence. He said he owed it all to [the project].”
Kasonde Kashulwe,
Challenges coordinator, Zambia