Secretary of Manatuto Municipality Administrator Mr. Agripinho da Costa and National Director for Youth of the Secretary of State for Youth and Labor (SSYL) Mr. David Tomas Deus jointly opened a 3-day ‘Innovation for Business Camp (start-ups)’ on 26 April 2018 at Manatuto administration meeting room.

The event started with a short presentation by UNDP Knua Juventude Fila-Liman (KJFL) about its concept and partnerships, facilities and services that are made available to support youth entrepreneurship and employability, as well as empowerment of youth voices.

In his opening remarks, Mr da Costa said: “This is the best program for youth and I thank the designers of this initiative. This program is very well-designed to enable youth to create their own jobs, one very important pillar for Timor-Leste's development and I encourage all participants take this opportunity seriously.”

Director Deus at the same time highlighted that SSYL is mandated to support youth through the provision of vocational training for youth capacity building and in return support the Government to achieve its national development priorities. He repeated the vision of H.E. Mr Nívio Magalhães that “youth should be part of solutions for the problems we face in the society” and stressed the relevance of the partnership with UNDP Timor-Leste to introduce a new model for youth development.

The Innovation for Business Camp is an opportunity for youth to generate new business ideas through problem identification, design solutions, selection and assessment of business ideas, and creation of a business plan framework. Fifteen youths including six females participated, along with a representative from IADE Manatuto.

“The 3-day camp is a new challenge for our youth, but with a clear economic orientation and social benefit,” said Mr Carlos Lay, Manager of Manatuto Youth Center and training facilitator who is committed to leading the youth to make positive changes in their society.

On the final day of the training on 28 April participants made presentations about their business ideas in the presence of the Secretary of Manatuto Municipality Administrator. Mr da Costa thanked SSYL and UNDP-KJFL for the initiative and the support provided to young people in Manatuto Municipality.

He congratulated the participants and challenged them all to keep organizing themselves and taking action to create their own jobs, with support from the Municipality Administration. The business camp was closed by Mr da Costa after UNDP-KJFL presented its key results and success stories to inspire the youth. The event was completed successfully due to strong cooperation between Manatuto Youth Center and Municipality Administration Office, as well as IADE in Manatuto.