UNITAR welcomed 524 young participants from Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon to the Japan-funded " RISE LAB: Igniting Youth Potential through Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Economic Resilience " training programme.
16 July 2025, Hiroshima, Japan - On 12 July 2025, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) welcomed 524 young participants from Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon to the Japan-funded " RISE LAB: Igniting Youth Potential through Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Economic Resilience " training programme. Designed as a multi-phase approach, this programme aims to empower motivated entrepreneurs and leaders, both men and women, from Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon, who are eager to create and implement innovative local solutions to enhance food security and improve the broader private sector.
Thanks to the support of the Government and People of Japan, this capacity-building programme is provided free of charge. The 524 participants, aged between 18 and 40, come from diverse backgrounds in the three countries: 291 participants from Iraq, 123 from Egypt, and 110 from Lebanon. The flexible online learning format encourages inclusive participation, allowing participants to learn from anywhere at any time.
Launch of the 2025 Programme
During the online launch seminar on 12 July 2025, Chisa Mikami, Head of UNITAR Hiroshima Office, delivered welcome remarks to the participants.
By applying to this programme, you have made a bold step towards improving your future and the prosperity of your country. We hope that the skills you will acquire from this programme will enhance your capacity to start or grow a business you already have" .
The first phase of the programme runs online from July to August 2025. This phase focuses on helping participants develop practical skills and competencies to establish their businesses through interactive online modules, expert-led webinars, and peer-to-peer exchanges.
The programme is implemented by the Resilient Ideas and Sustainable Entrepreneurship Lab team (RISE LAB), whose main programmatic focus is sustainable entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, financial literacy, and digital literacy. This initiative reflects UNITAR's commitment to fostering locally driven solutions in fragile and transition-affected contexts.
