12.03.2018

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP WORKSHOP

Youth unemployment and underemployment has become a major challenge in almost all African countries. However, there is a big potential for entrepreneurship in Africa than elsewhere in the world. For this reason, UEM Africa organized a follow up entrepreneurship workshop for youth as it was recommended by Africa Assembly held 2017 in Goma /DRC. Lead by Mr Zakaria Mnkai the program officer of UEM Africa Region, the workshop took place on 4^th to 9^th March 2018, hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran in Botswana (ELCB). Thirteen (13) youth from UEM member churches including: ELCT/ ECD, ELCT/ NED; ELCT/KAD; ELCT/NWD, ELCB, ELCRN, RCSA, EPR, EAR, CBCA and CADELU attended the workshop.  In Addition to youth participants, Rev. Dr Nagaju Muke Deputy executive Secretary of UEM Africa was present to both attend to the due workshop and to visit the ELCB. The purpose of the workshop is to empower youth and enable them to become entrepreneurs and be able to create their own businesses and jobs. The leading topic of the workshop was “Sustainable Income Generating Projects for the Youth”. Following sub-topics were also discussed:  Biblical motivation on entrepreneurship, From Problems to Development through entrepreneurship (Income generating projects), Definition of Entrepreneurship in key words, Concept of Risk, Bright Entrepreneur, Concept of innovation in Entrepreneurship, (Income generating projects) and Business Plan. After the presentation of the above stated topics done by Joël TEMBO VWIRA from CBCA, all participants realized that whenever youth face problems, they should develop an attitude of looking at it as an opportunities. Whenever, youth are in front of a given problem or challenge, they should stop complaining and blame other people, rather, think of an idea, on how to solve and respond through an income generating activity solution/response. From the Income Generating Project launched, with the solution consisting of new product/service, youth will have the quality of life improved, new jobs created, tax paid to the government etc. At the end of the workshop, recommendations were made as follows: I.                   Recommendation to Youth Leaders

• After this workshop, at least one income generating project must be initiated in each UEM member church and be presented in the next AFRA in 2019.
• Design a strategic plan for youth.

II.                Recommendation to Church Leaders

• Church projects must be initiated from the bottom up and not from the top down.
• The church should be a channel for our youth to engage in entrepreneurship. UEM Member churches is encouraged to conduct an entrepreneurship training.
• Churches need to involve its partners  in youth entrepreneurship programs.
• Mobilization of available church resources by identifying and using skilled, successful and professionals people to empower youth from the local congregations.

III.             Recommendation to UEM (Reminder for the  AFRA 2017 recommendations)

• UEM to provide orientation, education and support to youth to start small business in all member churches.
• UEM to finance technical training for youth to start their own business.
• UEM member churches and regional office to design specific youth entrepreneurship program.
• UEM to provide Mentoring,  Coaching  and  Structure support (Youth desk at the UEM regional office)
• UEM to provide financial support for Business Projects developed by the youth of member churches including making clear channels to follow up on the results of projects.

Presented by Rev. Dr Nagaju Muke, Deputy Executive of UEM Africa Region