Davos Agenda
From batik to coding: these training projects are empowering Indonesia's youth
Indonesia's youth were disadvantaged before COVID-19. Now training and microfinance are helping these school children and their families out of poverty.
Veronica Colondam
Veronica Colondam champions the field of social entrepreneurship in Indonesia with the establishment of YCAB Foundation in 1999. YCAB Foundation is the founding and flagship organisation in the YCAB social enterprise group which bases its operations on a mutually reinforcing and financially sustainable social change model. YCAB’s mission is to improve welfare through education and inclusive financing impacting the lives of four million underprivileged youth through education and half a million women micro entrepreneurs through inclusive financing where education of their children is made the precondition to loan.
YCAB is among the few organisations in Asia to receive the General Consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC & ranks #32 of Top 100 SPO/NGO in the World by a Geneva-based NGO Advisor (January 2020). Veronica is also an independent commissioner of the largest state-owned microfinance company (PNM) with 7 million active customers.
Double degree in communications and public relations, obtained her MSc. in social science from Imperial College London. Alumni of special postgraduate education for WEF’s Young Global Leader in HKS, 2009 & Yale, 2013; Social Entrepreneurship (INSEAD, 2010); Impact Investing (Oxford, 2012).
A published author and speaker; recipient of two United Nation awards (Vienna, 2001 & New York, 2017); YGL (2006); Fellow of Asia21 Young Leader (2007); EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year (2011); Schwab’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year (2012); Forbes' 48 Asian Philanthropist (2015).
Married with three grown children. Veronica enjoys traveling as part of her dedication to give back and inspire the next gen through lectures, coaching & mentorship.
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