Context: Solomon Islands has the second youngest population in the Pacific, with 7 out of 10 people under 30 years of age. However, youth participation in society is limited. The country’s youth unemployment rate of over 35 per cent is one of the highest at a global level and the country has been ranked by the Commonwealth’s Youth Development Index as low as 76th globally for youth political participation.
In this scenario, inactivity has led many young people to engage in alcohol and substance abuse. Moreover, held back by a lack of sense of purpose in society, many become involved in disruptive behaviour within their communities. This conduct is additionally influenced by the stigma created around youth following their participation in military groups during the 1998-2002 conflict.
Implementation of programme/ initiative: On 12 October 2018, Solomon Island’s Prime Minister Hon. Rick Houenipwela, launched the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI). The Council aims to increase economic empowerment of the country’s youth by representing the interests of young entrepreneurs within the wider business environment.
YECSI is a public-private joint initiative between the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Council’s duties include advocating for the enactment of legislation and policies that are inclusive of younger entrepreneurs and supporting youth in their business projects. Accordingly, the platform provides regular trainings and workshops to build the capacity of young people with regard to essential market skills, such as business planning and networking. It aspires to play a crucial role in the advancement and coordination of the entrepreneurial efforts of Solomon Islands’ youth.
Main challenges: The main challenge the platform faces is to effectively counterbalance common misconceptions abound young people in Solomon Islands. Based on high rates of youth delinquency and past militia engagement, communities tend to neglect and overlook the potential of its younger population. Additionally, cultural attitudes that value age and experience over youth aggravate the position of young people in society. Moreover, sociocultural impressions of this kind impact the access of younger generations to credit and stifle their economic capacity to undertake business projects.
Results achieved: The Council has about 60 registered members operating in Malaita, Western, Renbel, Makira, Isabel and Capital Territory provinces. Together, its members employ around 400 Solomon Islanders. Moreover, the Chair of the Council is a successful example of a young entrepreneur, Millicent Barty.
Furthermore, the recent creation of IumiWaka (as a co-working space) proves YECSI’s effectiveness as a platform for constructive discussion amongst young entrepreneurs. Together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), YECSI gathered 14 young entrepreneurs to design the working space according to their needs. The resulting project, IumiWaka, provides a formal work setting as well as skill training and networking opportunities for young people in Honiara City.
Moving Forward: YECSI’s number of registered members is expected to grow as the Council further demonstrates its ability to help young entrepreneurs achieve their professional goals. Moreover, to address Solomon Islands’ need to create more job opportunities for its younger population, the Council aims to strengthen its position as a platform that provides young people with tools to transform ideas into successful business plans that will create needed work opportunities. In parallel, it aspires to boost its relationship with the Government to promote a prosperous business environment for the country’s youth.
Replicability: As an initiative that is both aimed at the youth and composed by them, YECSI not only provides young entrepreneurs with a voice, but also gives the younger population a sense of purpose. In settings where youth are perceived to be a burden for development, initiatives like those of the Council build in young businesspeople confidence and a sense of collective strength to harness their potential. In this way, YECSI shows that active participation of the younger population in the process of policy development is essential for youth empowerment.
References:
https://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/programs/pacificbeat/solomon-islands-tackles-youth-unemployment/10380858
http://www.mwycfa.gov.sb/resources-2/media-releases/30-young-entrepreneurs-council-launched.htmlhttps://vsa.org.nz/what-we-do/countryregion/solomon-islands/partner-organisations/young-entrepreneurs-council-solomon-islands-yecsi/
http://www.solomontimes.com/news/gender-journey-in-business/8924
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/business/item/21293-a-step-in-the-right-direction
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/business/item/20961-yecsi-elects-board-launching-next
Acknowledgements:
This good practice was kindly prepared by Ms. Victoria Mulville
Project Details
Date: March 26, 2019