In June UNDP held a social business camp in Ermera to support aspiring entrepreneurs to develop innovative ideas.

Director of the Institute of Business Development (IADE) Mr. Julio dos Reis officially opened the three-day social business camp for existing businesses on 13 June at Ermera Municipality Youth Center following short remarks from Secretary of State for Youth and Labour (SEJT) Representative, Mr. Cesario Carlos and Youth Center Manager Mr. Abrão de Deus.

The social business camp in Ermera is a unique opportunity for UNDP business trainers to meet young and creative entrepreneurs, including Rio Coffee, COMSATIL, Toka-nale Coffee, Fish Farming Group (Nila), FAM Group (Horticulture) and SEJT civil servants.

In front of the 17 young entrepreneur workshop participants, Mr. Reis encouraged the youth to conduct market research before developing their business plans. He advised that it is important for businesses to create their own goals rather than just follow others.

The camp started with a short presentation of the ‘Youth Entrepreneurship Concept’ applied by UNDP Knua Juventude Fila-Liman (KJFL), the goals and objective of the centre as well as the key results achieved since its establishment in August 2017.

UNDP junior business trainers Silvia de Araujo and Nelania Doutel Sarmento noted that participants were very active and highly engaged throughout the learning process. They were provided with guidance on the information required to start a business, making assumptions and analysing business information to develop a business plan including conducting a financial SWOT analysis and risk management.

Ermera Youth Centre English Teacher, Leonito Madeira on behalf of his fellow participants thanked the UNDP-KJFL team for their passion during the three-day training, and appreciated the efforts made by Ermera Youth Center Manager for linking the youth with business opportunities to expand their businesses and increase their revenues.

“Ermera municipality has the second highest rate of malnutrition in Timor-Leste,” said Leonito.

“It has so many potential natural resources but because of our passiveness, we have abandoned our productive resources.

“The foreigners support each other to run their businesses, which is contradictory to our tradition where we love to support each other and invest our money just for traditional ceremonies.”

The camp accomplished a high level of enthusiasm from the groups and ultimately received very positive feedback with recommendations to conduct similar training at suco level.

UNDP Timor-Leste is highly committed to supporting youth to become job-creators instead of job-seekers through the KJFL project, a one-stop shop in Dili for youth entrepreneurship and innovation.

It is currently expanding to the municipalities through existing municipality youth centres under the SEJT.