Building Sustainable Youth Business Programmes through Social Enterprise

20 Jun Building Sustainable Youth Business Programmes through Social Enterprise

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Transforming Youth and Communities Through Social Enterprise in the Eastern Caribbean

From March 2019 to May 2023, a transformative initiative led by the Barbados Youth Business Trust (BYBT) in partnership with the Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) and the St. Lucia Youth Business Trust (SLYBT) sought to redefine youth entrepreneurship in the Caribbean. Funded by the European Union, the project entitled “Building Sustainable Youth Business Programmes through Social Enterprise” placed youth-led social enterprises at the heart of sustainable development.

At a time when economic challenges and social needs were escalating, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, this project answered the call by equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and seed funding needed to design and grow businesses that not only generate income but also drive positive social impact.

What Was the Project About?

The mission was clear: develop a pipeline of youth-led social enterprises in Barbados, Dominica, and St. Lucia, while strengthening the capacity of the Youth Business Trusts (YBTs) to deliver innovative, inclusive business development services.

The intervention was built around a Social Enterprise Incubator (SEI) model that blended:

    • Interactive training,
    • Business advisory and mentoring,
    • Community-based workshops, and
    • Virtual tools to ensure accessibility.

Despite the global disruption caused by the pandemic, the project rapidly pivoted to virtual delivery, resulting in broader reach and lower cost per participant while maintaining high engagement.

Key Results at a Glance

Metric​

Target

Achieved

Social entrepreneurs trained (SEI)

30

67 (120% over target)

Social enterprises launched with grants

10

36

Jobs created

24

11 (baseline: 0)

Youth trained via community-based programs

400

373 (93%)

Mentors trained to support SEs

30

70

E-learning platform users

30

Achieved (regional pilot completed)

The program supported 67 graduates, achieving an 85% graduation rate, significantly exceeding historical YBT program averages (40–60%).

Social Impact at Scale

The impact extended beyond business creation:

    • 59 communities were positively affected by new or strengthened social enterprises.
    • Entrepreneurs tackled a range of issues—from waste management and mental health support to educational access and food security.
    • Over 70 mentors were trained and actively supported youth for up to a year post-training.
    • Participants reported greater understanding of the difference between nonprofits and social enterprises, embracing financial sustainability as a key to longevity.

Learning Through Experience

The project revealed powerful insights that reshaped delivery across all three YBTs:

    • Peer learning works: Participants cited peer sessions as just as impactful as expert-led training.
    • Ongoing mentorship is essential: Enterprises with active mentoring post-training showed greater progress and implementation.
    • Hands-on support increases success: One-on-one advisory meetings, pitch practice, and feedback loops were critical to graduates’ confidence.
“This program didn’t just train us. It walked with us. Every challenge I had was met with someone who helped me find a solution.” — Entrepreneur, Dominica
“The SEI helped me go from idea to income. My social business now works with schools to reduce plastic waste.” — Entrepreneur, St. Lucia
“Before this, I didn’t see business as a tool for community change. Now I’m leading a project that supports single mothers in my community.” — SEI Graduate, Barbados

Building for the Future

Despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic, the project launched:

    • A virtual curriculum tailored to Caribbean youth entrepreneurs,
    • A regional e-learning platform hosted by Youth Business Caribbean,
    • Community partnerships with ministries, NGOs, and resource centres to widen reach.

The model now serves as a blueprint for replication and expansion across other YBTs in the Caribbean. Ongoing mentorship and “adopt-a-venture” partnerships are also being explored to sustain efforts beyond EU funding.

SL YBT

What’s Next?

This initiative laid the groundwork for long-term systems change. With strengthened organizational capacity, trained staff and mentors, and a tested virtual incubator model, the Youth Business Trusts are prepared to continue leading the charge in social entrepreneurship.

Follow-up activities include:

    • New program cycles with participant stipends
    • Collaboration with funders to scale impact


Increased policy advocacy to embed social enterprise models into national development frameworks.

This project didn’t just empower 67 young people, it built a new model of Caribbean entrepreneurship. One grounded in impact, inclusivity, and innovation.