Youth Entrepreneurship Program Launched in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

On Monday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched its youth entrepreneurship program in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). According to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, the program will offer business pitching, self-employment, and trade fair participation as part of its training.

“The program will encourage and embolden the participation of MSME (micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprise) enablers in supporting youth entrepreneurship development and promotion in the region,” explained Lopez.

Entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 from youth organizations and indigenous groups are the primary targets of the National Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP). It will also be open to people with disabilities, students, and unemployed and out-of-school youth.

As of mid-July, the program has already helped more than 14,500 young entrepreneurs across various regions. It is mainly backed by United States Agency for International Development Opportunity 2.0 program.

“Through this partnership, the entrepreneurship activities of Opportunity 2.0 are integrated into the YEP implementation,” Lopez elaborated.

The participants may also be able to join current DTI programs for entrepreneurship.

“Please join our startup economy and be linked to our startup ecosystem from our acceleration programs, mentors, co-working spaces, startup networking events, competitions, and possible venture funding,” he added.

Source: BusinessWorld