Dominica

In Dominica, youth employment programs receive the active attention of agencies such as: the National Development Foundation, the National Development Corporation, Small Projects Assistance team (SPAT), the Cooperative Division, Youth Division, NGO's and the Private Sector. These agencies provide a wide range of services including training and technical support. It was noted however, that there is a need to coordinate the efforts of the above mentioned agencies. Recently, the Small Enterprise Development Unit has been promoted in Dominica by the National Development Corporation and the Ministry of Trade as the agency that should provide the coordinating function.

The development of youth enterprise in Dominica is promoted by programs such as the Co-operative Division, the Youth Development Division and the Youth Divisions 4-H program. The CO-operative division, through its training unit provides management training for persons involved in enterprise ventures. For instance, students learn business basics such as the formulation and development of business plans, management financing and marketing. The project is geared towards further support for cooperative and common ownership enterprises; for which assistance from the OAS is being solicited. The Youth Development division prepares and assists youth enterprise by incorporating business and social skills as part of the vocational training offered. Tools and equipment needed during training are loaned to young entrepreneurs as well as financial assistance from the division's revolving fund. The 4-H program, also provides opportunity for entrepreneurial training but focus specifically on agricultural projects.

NGO's in youth enterprise are generally small in size and have a limited reach. The biggest and most involved NGO in the promotion and creation of Small Business ventures is the National Development Foundation of Dominica. Provision of capital, training, and facilities are part of the NGO's Small Enterprise Development Projects.

The National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) will initiate a project called the Youth Start Project once the financial situation ameliorates. NDFD is a non-profit, non-governmental organization which exists to contribute to socio - economic development at national and regional levels by the provision of credit, technical assistance and training to the Micro and Small Business Sectors. The goal of this program, once operational, is to train young persons in business so that they may use those skills to generate income by creating small business that is viable. To reach this end, soft loans will be given to those young entrepreneurs (after necessary screening) for the purpose of purchasing equipment, or for infrastructure development and working capital for the successful implementation of these new ventures. On-going support will be provided to these persons, in an effort to guide them along the way.