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Challenge

Rural business Pakistan

It is time to scale up

The timeline where Pakistan is standing in the project demands for scale-up strategies and entrepreneurial solutions with the capability of creating greater impact. With this motivation in mind, EYW Pakistan is looking for expansion solutions for young entrepreneurs and those interested in employment by supporting them to grow their business idea through the access to finances, linkage with MNCs and value chain, the ideas of addressing local problems with high potential of expansion and sustainability, as well as their participation in E-Jobs.

Scale-up is needed because we want to utilize full potential of young people and want them to envision themselves beyond their geographical and social boundaries and explore their unlimited potential instead of thinking conventionally on challenges. For us, expansion means business growth, enhanced access to services and opportunities and finding non-conventional allies.

Challenges in implementation

  • The models learned from the previous exchange seemed to be easily adoptable in the context of Pakistan. However, it was instantly recognized that all the models cannot be implemented in their original forms, only some aspects in the models can be adopted and meet the local needs of the youth.
  • In the model of READ community library, it was recognized that youth in our rural context  were not enthusiastic about the concept of having a physical library. Instead, they were more excited about having a one stop shop incubation space, which they could use as a learning space.
  • The models learned from the previous exchange also implicated the importance of having the ownership in the local community in order to ensure smooth exit strategy, a concept initiated and worked upon in context of Pakistan. However, the legalities of giving the ownership and registration of hub as social enterprise is serving to be a big challenge.
  • Hub sustainability and linking a running enterprise to generate revenue for hub operations is a challenge.
  • Another challenge is finding the right mentors and ensuring their regular engagement. So far, we have been engaging the urban mentors but there are cost implications attached and not many of them are willing to spare their time unless something tangible is in it for them.