The Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) has successfully launched its week-long celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) under the theme "Entrepreneurship is for Everyone." The event, which ran from November 18 to 21, 2024, showcased innovation, resilience, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship across the nation.
During the opening ceremony, Senator Oscar George, the Minister of State for Culture, Youth, Sports, and Community Development, commended the DYBT for its pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurial growth among young Dominicans. He emphasized, “DYBT has been instrumental in equipping young entrepreneurs with the necessary training, mentorship, and access to funding to not only launch but sustain their businesses.”
The week’s activities included school tours aimed at promoting youth entrepreneurship. The DYBT team visited several schools across Dominica, including the Isiah Thomas Secondary School in St. Joseph, the Dominica Community High School in Louisville, the Dominica State College in Stockfarm, and the CALLS Institute in Portsmouth, inspiring students and encouraging them to explore entrepreneurship as a viable career option.
On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the DYBT hosted its 20th Graduation and Awards Ceremony at the St. Alphonsus Parish Hall in Goodwill. Over 40 entrepreneurs were honored for completing various programs offered by the Trust. The ceremony featured a keynote address from the Honourable Gretta Roberts, Minister for Youth, who underscored the significance of the graduates’ achievements. “Today, you hold more than just a certificate; you hold the keys to your future as leaders in Dominica’s entrepreneurial landscape,” she stated. “Your accomplishments are a testament to the opportunities provided by this government through the DYBT.”
Minister for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, Mirium Blanchard, also addressed the graduates, offering them a word of caution. “The ‘get rich quick’ mentality is not sustainable, and even if acquired, it cannot be properly enjoyed,” she warned. “Instead, draw inspiration from those who are committed to putting in the time and effort to achieve lasting success.” Minister Blanchard also stressed the importance of hard work, noting that the only place success precedes work is in the dictionary.
The ceremony also recognized the Determined Male and Female Entrepreneurs of the Year for 2024, marking a highlight of the week’s celebrations. In addition to the awards ceremony, the DYBT organized an Entrepreneurial Showcase at the Castle Bruce Youth Centre, aimed at expanding the Trust’s outreach to rural communities. The event brought together local entrepreneurs from Castle Bruce and surrounding areas, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their products and engage with students from the neighboring high school.
Senator George highlighted the importance of such initiatives for rural economic development, emphasizing that small businesses play a crucial role in circulating money within local communities. He encouraged young people to pursue entrepreneurship, advising, “If your business solves a problem that the average person faces, it will be very difficult for your business to fail.”
In collaboration with the 4H programme, the DYBT also organized sessions for members, highlighting the significance of entrepreneurship and exploring opportunities for further cooperation between the Trust and the 4H programme. To conclude the week, the Trust supported the Dominica Young Entrepreneurs Club (DYEC) in hosting a webinar featuring the recently awarded Determined Male and Female Entrepreneurs, Mr. Tevin Benjamin and Ms. Alisha Stedman.
The celebrations concluded with overwhelming success, and the DYBT looks forward to building on this momentum with the hosting of GEW 2025 in November this year.