OECD Global Forum on Local Development 2026

Junior Global Enterprises

Junior Enterprises Global is the international umbrella organisation of the Junior Enterprise Movement. We represent more than 100,000 students each year across 2,100 regional student-led youth associations at 1000+ universities. Our mission is to strengthen youth entrepreneurship, enable learning to earning transitions, and connect local talent with economic opportunity. Through the Junior Enterprise Model, students gain practical experience by delivering services to companies, institutions, and communities while still at university. This equips young people with the skills, confidence, and professional exposure needed to succeed in employment, entrepreneurship, and civic leadership. As the global Confederation of the Movement, we support cooperation, representation, quality development, and international growth across our network, advancing youth led solutions worldwide.


What is this Local Initiatives Marketplace stand all about?


Initiative name

Benghazi Junior Enterprise

Initiative country

Lybia- EU

Initiative description

In Benghazi, Libya, the creation of a Junior Enterprise at the local University shows how student-led enterprise can strengthen local ecosystems. By delivering affordable services to SMEs and institutions, students gain practical experience, generate subsistence income, and develop skills their local economy needs. Junior Entrepreneurs are 19% more likely to find employment after graduation, 68% of alumni aspire to found their own businesses, helping reinvest talent and opportunity locally. For Benghazi, this has shown more capable graduates, stronger local businesses, and a more resilient regional economy. This pilot of 11 municipalities across Libya all supporting the creation of Junior Enterprises locally shows a best practice example of timely integrating youth into an economy they will influence for decades. Keywords: Youth Entrepreneurship | Skill Development | Learning to Earning Transition"