85 Youths Graduate with Entrepreneurial Training

Georgetown, Guyana, January 27, 2023: Eighty-five (85) youths successfully completed the SSYDR Entrepreneurial Development Programme (SEDP) through Specialists in Sustained Youth Development and Research (SSYDR) Inc. with the support of Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd. The graduation ceremony was held on January, 26, 2023 at the Police Officer’s Training Centre, Georgetown.

Fifty-six (56) of the graduates will now benefit from startup grants totaling $13.75 million to open or enhance various business ventures. These business challenge winners are from various communities across the country in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10. Within the coming weeks, the youths will be engaged in purchasing the necessary equipment and supplies to venture into their preferred areas of business with ongoing business coaching provided.

The SEDP was launched in November, 2022 followed by a two-month Entrepreneurship/ Be Your Own Boss Training, the business challenge along with business plan preparation and presentation. The graduates are now able to develop their own business idea, identify the characteristics and traits of a successful business owner, assess their own characteristics, attitudes and skills related to being business owners, conduct simple market research, understand the importance of differentiating from competitors, compile a marketing plan, register their businesses, keep basic financial records and develop their own business plan among other key skills.

This initiative was made possible through the generosity of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, as part of its social investment programme the Power to Make a Difference (PMAD). Republic Bank through its PMAD programme remains committed to making a difference in the communities in which it serves.