The Small Business Bureau (SBB), in collaboration with the Education Ministry, has launched the 2025 edition of the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (YEP), reaffirming its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship among young Guyanese.
The initiative began with an awareness session hosted by the SBB, where teachers from participating schools were trained in business plan development, ensuring they can effectively guide students in crafting strong and viable proposals.
This year, 12 secondary schools across Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Eight, Nine, and 10 will participate in the programme, which equips students with the skills, knowledge, and financial support needed to launch and sustain their own businesses.
CEO of the Small Business Bureau, Mohamed Shazim Ibrahim alongside the teachers of the participating schools at the bureau’s head office
YEP 2025 will provide monetary rewards to 60 selected students, helping them turn their entrepreneurial ideas into reality. Beyond financial assistance, the programme offers comprehensive training and mentorship, covering business planning, marketing strategies, and financial management.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Small Business Bureau (SBB), Shazim Ibrahim, highlighted the programme’s lasting impact:
“We recognise the potential of young entrepreneurs and the importance of equipping them with the right tools. YEP 2025 goes beyond providing monetary rewards to help students launch their businesses, it fosters innovation, resilience, and an entrepreneurial mindset that will empower them both in the classroom and throughout their lives.”
SBB, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education remains dedicated to developing the next generation of business leaders. Through initiatives like YEP, the Government continues to invest in youth development, economic empowerment, and a culture of innovation and self-sufficiency.
Moreover, the SBB had commenced the In-School Entrepreneurship Programme in September 2017. The programme targets vulnerable secondary students, from the ten administrative regions of Guyana, seeking alternative career options. Entrepreneurship and business innovation are promoted as a means of economic empowerment of youth.
As a result of the support and mentorship provided by the SBB, viable businesses were created, and students were able to link academic programmes to real life career choices, particularly in the field of entrepreneurship.
