In Kenya, approximately 16 million youth are unemployed. The number of youth also underemployed is significantly high (underemployment means working at a job you were not trained on. For example someone who learnt development work in university working as a procurement officer yet he or she has not been trained on that).
That is why it is imperative as youth to think outside the box and see what we can do to support our communities as well as ourselves in engaging in activities that will lead Kenya towards achieving Vision 2030 in the areas of economic,social and political pillars.
One of the ways is engaging in project work.A project is a set a set of inter related tasks that have a start and a finish and have to be completed within a specific time,scope and resources.
Today we will address the economic pillar as we talk on youth entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship in simple terms occurs when you as youth become aware of the need of having a business as a viable alternative, developing the idea for business and learning on how to become an entrepreneur.
When youth engage in entrepreneurship they can do so in groups or as individuals to develop their abilities and they can start this by defining their own problems,identifying solutions and finding resources to realise their vision.A result of which will be realizing their own potential and vision,growing in confidence and taking active roles in their own communities.
Here in Kenya,for youth engaged in entrepreneurship the government has provided avenues on how they can access funding namely through Uwezo Fund,Youth Enterprise Development Fund and Women Enterprise Fund.These funds encourage youth to form groups where they can develop a saving culture.
Click on the link below to access uwezo fund :
https://youthcountyprojectskenya.wordpress.com/2015/12/16/guideline-on-applying-for-uwezo-fund/
Click on the links below to access Youth Enterprise Development Fund :
Film loan link: https://youthcountyprojectskenya.wordpress.com/2016/01/02/film-loan-take-254-from-the-youth-enterprise-development-fund/
To ensure youth groups have received financial literacy skills to enable them save appropriately to access the above funds, Hand in Hand Eastern Africa offers training for a period of 6 months to youths interested in learning how to save and grow their savings.
You can visit the following link and participate in this project targeting youth being offered by Hand in Hand Eastern Africa.
Types of entrepreneurship ventures youth can engage in include agribusiness,film production just to name a few.
Click on this link on agribusiness:
If it’s your calling to engage in youth entrepreneurship you can start by registering your business name at the Attorney General’s office and follow up with other documentation required.
Wishing you the best as you take the first step to engage in self-employment and job creation.
About Youth County Projects Kenya and the Founder
Violet Mbiti is the founder of the blog “Youth County Projects Kenya” that seeks to fill the knowledge and awareness gap regarding youth projects being implemented by Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Private Sector, National Government, County Governments, donors and individuals in the 47 counties in Kenya.
This platform seeks to motivate youth to initiate projects in their respective communities to achieve Vision 2030 within the social,economic and political pillars.
You want your concerns around Project Management,Resource Mobilization/Fundraising,Governance, Leadership, Democracy,Social Development, and Youth Empowerment fixed? Find me.
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Website: http://www.youthcountyprojectskenya.wordpress.com
