The Lorenzo Ghedi Award for Entrepreneurship is an initiative created with the goal of supporting young entrepreneurs in African countries, particularly in the most fragile contexts with fewer economic opportunities. Sponsored by the Ghedi family in collaboration with ENGIM, the award represents a concrete commitment to fostering human, economic, and social development through the promotion of entrepreneurial initiative.
The Award stems from the belief that investing in people’s capabilities is one of the most effective ways to create job opportunities, strengthen local communities, and promote sustainable development across the African continent.
What the Award Offers
The Award supports entrepreneurial initiatives with social and environmental impact, selected from programs promoted by ENGIM in various African countries, where the organization has been active for years with projects in vocational training, human development, and business support.
The supported activities include
Advanced training and mentoring programs for young entrepreneurs, including through scholarships
Support for the launch and consolidation of micro and small businesses
Development of local networks among entrepreneurs, training institutions, businesses, and communities
Support for projects led by women and young people, with a particular focus on the inclusion of the most vulnerable groups
Promotion of businesses committed to environmental sustainability, the responsible use of local resources, and social impact
Selection Criteria
Economic and environmental sustainability of the project
Capacity for innovation, including from a technological or organizational perspective
Social inclusion, with attention to gender, age, disability, and other conditions of vulnerability
Local roots, meaning knowledge of the context and community involvement
Employment potential and ability to generate stable income over time
An award to build the future
The Entrepreneurship Award is not merely a symbolic recognition, but a concrete investment in people and communities. Supporting young entrepreneurs in Africa means providing real tools to transform contexts marked by poverty, inequality, and instability into environments capable of generating opportunities, jobs, and dignity.
Through skills development, business support, and the creation of local networks, the Award helps promote inclusive and sustainable economic development that prioritizes talent, social responsibility, and the future of the next generation
