The primary goal of this project is to establish an impactful program aimed at empowering and nurturing 15 young entrepreneurs and small business owners who are in age between 18 and 35 in the Western Province to transit to greener and more inclusive businesses in agro-processing, food and beverages, tourism and retailing, wholesaling and warehousing.

The selection of young entrepreneurs will be a two-step process, beginning with an outreach and awareness campaign. The project team will utilize various mediums, including local youth organizations, Chamber of Commerce, ICT, Educational Institutions(universities, VTA, SLIIT), IDB ,online platforms, social media, and mass media, to raise awareness about the initiative. Informational webinars and sessions will be organized to introduce the project to potential participants. While conducting these outreach and awareness campaigns, we will ensure that the selection criteria mentioned below are clearly communicated in all promotional materials, including announcements, webinars, and any information distributed as part of the outreach and awareness efforts.

The second step involves the application and selection process, which will be carried out with a commitment to inclusivity. An open call for applications will invite aspiring young entrepreneurs to participate. A diverse selection panel will then review and select the participants, ensuring a fair and unbiased selection process. To ensure a systematic and fair selection process, a selection criterion with a scoring system will be used to evaluate and select the 15 young entrepreneurs. The scoring system will encompass key criteria that align with the project’s objectives. The following criteria will be considered:

• Alignment with Target Sectors: This criterion assesses the extent to which the entrepreneur’s current business activities align with the sectors targeted by the project.
• Green/Sustainable/Inclusive Initiatives: This criterion evaluates the entrepreneur’s existing and planned green, sustainable, and inclusive initiatives. Points will be awarded based on the comprehensiveness and commitment to these initiatives.
• Gender Disparity: This criterion addresses the project’s emphasis on gender diversity. Points will be awarded for efforts to reduce gender disparity, with a higher score given to female entrepreneurs or those actively promoting gender inclusivity.
• Income/scale of the Business:This criterion considers the financial size and scale of the entrepreneur’s business. The project aims to support a diverse range of entrepreneurs, including those at an early stage of development.