Call for Research Tenders: Exploring the Impacts of Volunteer Business Mentoring on Young Entrepreneurs across the YBI Network

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Toby Lloyd
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Call for Research Tenders: Exploring the Impacts of Volunteer Business Mentoring on Young Entrepreneurs across the YBI Network Background to the research study About Youth Business International

1 Call for Research Tenders: Exploring the Impacts of Volunteer Business Mentoring on Young Entrepreneurs across the YBI Network Background to the research study About Youth Business International (YBI): Youth Business International (YBI) is a global network of 46 independent non-profit initiatives ( members ) spanning 42 countries, enabling aspiring young entrepreneurs (aged 18-35) to start and grow sustainable businesses with the potential to employ local people, build local supply chains, and strengthen local communities. The YBI Network is facilitated by a London-based Network, who co-ordinate and lead global activity, with responsibility for driving network growth and quality, including through the delivery of capacity building services to members. As such, our network combines global expertise with local experience. YBI operates across high, medium and low income countries we are mandated to work anywhere with a youth unemployment challenge, which means our work covers a wide range of contexts, from Argentina to Australia. Our members provide integrated support to under-served young entrepreneurs, combining training, access to capital, mentoring and other business development services. They adapt this common approach to their local context, working in partnership with governments, businesses and multilateral and civil society organisations. In 2014, YBI supported the start-up, strengthening and growth of 20,696 youth-led businesses. Mentoring is one part of the support package that our members provide to young entrepreneurs. It is a vital ingredient in the success of that support package, helping to ensure loans are used effectively and complementing the other non-financial elements. Moreover, it is central to what makes the YBI model unique, distinguishing our approach from other microcredit and training centred-initiatives. Our network currently encompasses over 15,000 volunteer business mentors. An evidence-based network: YBI is committed to an evidence-led approach to meet our ambitious growth targets to support 100,000 young entrepreneurs globally per year by As the only dedicated global youth entrepreneurship practitioner, YBI has a significant opportunity to understand and share what works in youth entrepreneurship support. To take forward this ambition, we have developed a Research and Learning Agenda, which explores the key assumptions and knowledge gaps behind YBI s Theory of Change 1. Our Research and Learning Agenda has three key areas of focus: The case for youth entrepreneurship What works, where, and why, for under-served young entrepreneurs? The value of operating as a network (See YBI s Research and Learning Agenda for more details under each focus area) This study is being commissioned in order to explore the second of these areas namely, the what works, where, and why, for under-served young entrepreneurs? There is a notable lack of research 1 Our ToC is documented in the Strategic Plan; see

2 available on entrepreneurship mentoring, particularly in terms of studies that are international in scope. YBI and mentoring: YBI is perhaps best known for our work on mentoring. Our experience in supporting our members around the world to build successful mentoring programmes is a key factor in attracting new members to the network, as well as potential funders and other types of partners across the youth entrepreneurship sector. The philosophy around mentoring is similar across the network, but the approach to delivering the mentoring programme differs between members. For example, some programmes involve training for mentors/mentees, whereas some do not. YBI particularly promotes the Volunteer Business Mentoring (VBM) model, and it is this approach that we want the research study to focus on. However, it is important to note that not all members of the network employ this model, and how VBM is implemented varies among those that do. While we have been gradually building up (predominantly qualitative) evidence of the value of YBI s mentoring model 2, to date we have not made any substantial attempts to evaluate the impacts our work in this area at the global level. Scope of the Research Study Research Study Objectives The objective of this study is to help the YBI network and our key stakeholders understand the impacts of volunteer business mentoring on the personal development of the young entrepreneurs we support and the success of their businesses. We will share and apply lessons learned around what works in the field of volunteer business mentoring for young entrepreneurs to our future work. This will enhance the quality of mentoring provision to young entrepreneurs supported by the YBI network and beyond, and position the YBI network and its members as global leaders in (youth) entrepreneurship mentoring. Research Questions The study is intended to address the following overarching research question: How does volunteer business mentoring contribute to (a) the success of young entrepreneurs businesses, and/or (b) their personal development? If so, in what ways does it contribute to these elements? Sub questions to be explored through the study include: What kinds of volunteer business mentoring models (e.g. group, individual, group/individual, online etc.) are effective in supporting young entrepreneurs in which contexts, and in relation to which aspects of business success/personal development? What are other effective entrepreneurship mentoring models (e.g. peer to peer mentoring) that are currently being used by YBI members and/or could be used in the future? 2 See for example /

3 In what ways is volunteer business mentoring impacted on and influenced by the cultural and social context in which it s taking place? What are the key components of (i) an effective youth entrepreneurship mentoring programme, and (ii) an effective mentoring relationship for young entrepreneurs? What are other key contributors to the business success/personal development of young entrepreneurs involved in the sampled mentoring programmes? What benefits do the volunteer business mentors get from their mentoring relationships with young entrepreneurs? Do the mentors feel effectively supported by the organisation to deliver the role of the business mentor? What benefits do the sampled organisations supporting young entrepreneurs get from running volunteer business mentoring programmes? Research Approach and Anticipated Study Outputs As YBI is ultimately a practitioner-based network, we would like this study to focus on generating findings that will be accessible and have practical application for those working in the field. For example, in addition to addressing the research questions outlined below, we are also hoping that this study will result in (i) a set of tools that YBI members can use to monitor, evaluate and learn (MEL) from their mentoring programmes, and (ii) a set of lessons to be incorporated into programme design and content. We would also like the study to incorporate a desk-based review of (i) existing member MEL tools, and (ii) research/evaluation studies members have undertaken to date, are currently working on, and/or have in the pipeline. We would like the research findings to be written up for the purpose of (i) publication in a leading mentoring journal, and (ii) conference presentations. We are also particularly interested in proposals that explore: the use of a longitudinal approach, ideally involving data points at least 12 months apart; creative, participatory and/or action research approaches, resulting in creative and/or youth friendly outputs, beyond the academic written report; and innovative ways of disseminating the findings. In this regard, YBI can support applicants in recruiting a network of researchers around the world and/or individual young researchers based in the sampled geographies. We are also very happy for prospective applicants to get in touch with us prior to the submission date to discuss their ideas around how they may approach this study. Sampling

4 We would like the researchers to work closely with YBI network members and would suggest sampling current mentors and mentees involved in between six and ten member mentoring programmes. The sample should cover a diverse range of (i) geographies, (ii) mentoring approaches, and (iii) levels of maturity of mentoring programmes. YBI is very happy to provide support in determining which member mentoring programmes to sample. In fact, we would prefer the study design to include a process by which members could apply to be sampled, with assessment against a clear set of assessment criteria, as we anticipate high levels of interest in involvement in this study from across our membership. Proposed Governance Arrangements The researcher(s) will report to YBI s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor and Head of Mentoring, supported by an Advisory Group comprising representatives from YBI s Network Team, YBI member staff, YBI s Research and Policy Advisory Group, specialist academic advisors and our corporate partner. Budget and Timeframe The total budget we have available for this research is 65,000 ($100,000), including all fees (incl. VAT) and expenses. We would like to have the study completed by March However, we want to have some preliminary findings from the study available in time for YBI s 2016 Global Summit 3, which will take place in September/October Application Process Experience and skills required Experience in research/evaluation in the field of mentoring, and ideally also entrepreneurship and/or the youth sector Experience working across different cultures and contexts Ability to produce concise, well written, and jargon-free findings in English Ability to speak and understand additional languages (especially Spanish) and/or a clearly articulated plan for bridging language barriers will be an advantage. How to apply: Proposals should be limited to ten pages (excluding CVs) and include the following: Outline of proposed methodology for conducting the study, including outlining how ethical approval will be sought, proposed sampling approach, details of data collection approach and instruments, and procedures for analysing data, as well as the proposed approach for reporting findings, including a list of deliverables that will be provided to YBI 3 YBI organises Global Summits every three years see for details of the 2013 Global Summit

5 Proposed schedule of activities covering the study timeframe Short overview of how the candidate(s) meets the experience and skills preferences, as well as a motivation statement (no more than one page) Proposed study budget - this should be in Pounds Sterling and MUST include all fees (incl. VAT) and expenses. Proposals will be considered on a Value for Money basis, and should not exceed 65,000. CVs and a sample of a similar piece of work for each team member proposed. Proposals must be submitted by midnight UK time on 16 th October Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed the week of 26 th anticipated in November October, and the start date is Please state Mentoring Research Study in the subject line and submit applications via to: laura.rana@youthbusiness.org and hoang-anh.thile@youthbusiness.org.

The role of Volunteer Business Mentoring in supporting youth entrepreneurship: A global perspective

The role of Volunteer Business Mentoring in supporting youth entrepreneurship: A global perspective global youth economic opportunities summit 2017 Dr. Julie Haddock-Millar, Middlesex University Jessica