16 HIGHLIGHTS EDUCATION MATTERS EDUCATION MATTERS Citi Foundation is one of the founding partners of JA Europe and for 30 years we have worked together in Europe to inspire the next generation of young entrepreneurs and employees.In 2017, the Citi Foundation globally expanded its Pathways to Progress initiative with a $100 million commitment to reach more 500,000 young people with entrepreneurship and employability training before 2020. DEVELOPING EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS THROUGH PATHWAYS TO PROGRESS Anneli SUNDSTRM SVP Head of Communications & Public Affairs, Citi, Nordic Region I have seen first-hand the creativity and dedication of youth as they work through the JA Company Programme, a programme that the Citi Foundation has supported in Finland for more than 10 years through Nuori Yrittjyys. Furthermore, on a European level, we are celebrating over 30 years of partnership with Junior Achievement Europe. FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AGRICULTURE In 2017-18, JA Europe and Monsanto expanded their partnership from 8 to 9 European countries, seeking to equip students with the skills they need to get a job or start a business in the agricultural industry. Mihaela VASILE Corporate Engagement & Government Relations Manager, Monsanto Romania For the second year in a row, I successfully supported our team to mentor more than 600 students from around the country. Over several months, students were organised into mini companies with regular face-to-face meetings, lasting five hours each with Monsanto volunteers. Volunteers shared their experiences with students regularly to create realistic pilot companies that could easily enter the market.