During May, UNDP held a three-day social business camp for start-ups in Likisa to provide an opportunity for youth to generate new business ideas through problem identification, design solutions, selecting and assessing business ideas, and developing a clear business plan framework.

Representative of Likisa Municipality Administrator, Mr Alberto Gomes opened the three-day training on 30 May 2018, in the presence of Secretary of State for Youth and Labour (SEJT) Municipality Director Ms Lucia Correia, and UNDP Sustainable Development Unit Team Leader Ms Felisberta Moniz da Silva.

Facilitated by Likisa Municipality Youth Centre, the camp began with a short presentation by UNDP-Knua Juventude Fila-Liman Project Manager Mr Anderias Tani by explaining the goals and objectives of the centre including services and support provided. Of the 18 participants, 28% are female, 50% are high school students, 28% are high school graduates, 11% are university students, 6% unemployed university graduates and 5% (2 youth) managing ‘mini kiosk’ businesses in Likisa.

On the last day of the training on 01 June, participants from each group made presentations about their business ideas through the Business Model Canvas template in the presence of the National Youth Director for SEJT Mr. David de Deus, accompanied by SEJT Municipality Director, Likisa Youth Centre Manager Mr Evaristo Soares and UNDP-KJFL Project Manager Mr. Anderias Tani.

Mr. David Deus in his closing remarks highlighted that SEJT is thankful to UNDP Knua Juventude Fila-Liman for providing the training and thanked the team for their enthusiasm for sharing their knowledge and expertise with the youth.

He mentioned the vision of the SEJT H.E. Mr Nívio Magalhães that “youth should be part of solutions for the problems we face in the society” and stressed that this activity forms part of the partnership with UNDP Timor-Leste to introduce a new model for youth development. Moreover, he challenged the participants to use the knowledge they have gained to create new ideas to improve their society.