IN line with its community development efforts, the United States embassy in Manila, in partnership with Development Options and Social Entrepreneurship Inc., kicked off a six-month-long Academy for Young Entrepreneurs project on Monday.
The three-day entrepreneurship boot camp took place in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.
Forty emerging youth leaders from Marawi City and nearby areas in Lanao del Norte will learn the basic concepts of entrepreneurship, including generating business ideas, developing business strategies, identifying resources and markets, utilizing social media, and building self-confidence and leadership skills.
At the conclusion of the boot camp, participants produced their own social enterprise start-up plans and pitched them to potential partners.
In early December, each participant will receive seed money to begin implementing their plans in their communities.
In January, participants will come back together for two days of intensive mentoring and coaching sessions with local experts.
They will have the opportunity to discuss the initial outcomes of their small businesses, including the challenges and successes they have encountered.
Participants will receive training on public speaking, business expansion, the use of social media and finding sponsorships and partners to promote their social enterprises.
In the final phase, participants will meet in January 2015 for a two-day entrepreneurship summit, where they will showcase their work to local business leaders and civil-society organizations in order to support and expand their projects.