Welcome to Shell LiveWIRE International

LiveWIRE is a Royal Dutch Shell social investment programme that helps young people around the world to start up and run viable businesses. Young is defined specifically in each country of programme operation but is usually between the ages of 18 and 30.

Shell LiveWIRE started in Strathclyde, Scotland in 1982. Then, as now, it helps tackle unemployment mostly by providing; pre-start up enterprise awareness sessions; business planning and management training; and, limited business capital.

LiveWIRE currently operates in many countries around the world and each local country develops and manages their own programme with some choosing a local name. The Find a Programme section gives you the details of the countries delivering a LiveWIRE programme - follow the link to further information and country website.

Each LiveWIRE country programme closely reflects the local context, specific local partnerships and of course local young people. Whilst every LiveWIRE programme shares common themes it is unique in its particular country mix and approach, and each programme is tailored to its host country's own mix of opportunities, culture and context.

All programmes seek to add value to existing local policies and other initiatives providing support for the development of young people and their economic future.