Who We Are

Youth Business Caribbean (YBC) is a community of entrepreneurial support organisations empowering young persons to establish entrepreneurial businesses in the Caribbean. Since 2012, we have been working together to strengthen the ecosystem for young entrepreneurs in the Caribbean. YBC was launched as part of the Entrepreneurship Program for the Eastern Caribbean (YEPEC) Project funded by USAID. The project has facilitated the development of local Youth Business Trust’s, building their capacity to deliver services to young entrepreneurs and work together to create a stronger ecosystem for young entrepreneurs in the Caribbean.

The purpose of the Youth Business Caribbean, as defined by YEPEC is to:

  1. To expand access to entrepreneurial support activities for young people throughout the Caribbean; and
  2. To develop capabilities of Youth Business Programmes (YBPs) to deliver youth entrepreneurial support activities throughout the Caribbean.

The Barbados Youth Business Trust (BYBT) supports young entrepreneurs by providing financial assistance, training, on-going business advice and marketing support. The secret of The Trust’s success is that every new business is assigned a Business Mentor – a volunteer who provides support, encouragement and advice to help the business succeed. The Trust also provides marketing and sales opportunities, including subsidized space at exhibitions, informing young entrepreneurs about training opportunities, providing grants for marketing research, educational and go and see opportunities.

Find out more on BYBT here.

The Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) has a strong training component which forms a compulsory element of their model. The four-week Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) includes a one-week Achievement Motivation Training (AMT) and three weeks of Entrepreneurship Development Program sessions. A special two-day workshop is compulsory for young applicants who are already in business and satisfy the basic requirements. This facility is referred to as the Small Business Assistance Facility (SBAF). A special facility has been put in place for Business students of the Dominica State College upon submission of their business plans and completion of the Achievement Motivation Training.

Find out more on DYBT here.

The Jamaica Youth Business Trust (JYBT) provides mentoring, training, support and start-up capital, along with advisory and networking opportunities to young entrepreneurs. JYBT supports young entrepreneurs in a variety of industries, based in both rural and urban areas across the island. JYBT is a lender of last resort in a challenging environment. Out of a population of 3 million, Jamaica has 127,000 unattached young people: people between the ages of 15 and 24 who are not in education, employment or training.

Find out more on JYBT here.

The St. Lucia Youth Business Trust (SLYBT) is a project undertaken by the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture to stimulate the concept of self-employment and a spirit of enterprise among youth ages 18 – 35 years old. With a focus on overall entrepreneurial development for the youth, the mentoring component will serve as the key ingredient to allow the trust to stand out from other organisations in St. Lucia. SLYBT offers a coordinated, comprehensive program to assist young entrepreneurs in developing the skills, attitudes and access resources they need to become successful entrepreneurs.

Find out more about SLYBT here.

The Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago (YBTT), with the support of the business community, empowers young persons to become entrepreneurs by providing funding, mentorship, learning and development opportunities, and aftercare support services. YBTT’s core function is to assist young persons within the age group of 18-35, who would not otherwise have the opportunity to fulfil their ambition and contribute to the community, through the medium of self-employment and development of their self-confidence.

Find out more about YBTT here.