09 Jun 2021

Financing of projects through the Youth Development Fund (YDF) has resumed after a COVID-19 induced suspension.

Briefing the media in Gaborone on Tuesday, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Tumiso Rakgare said a call for submission of 2021/22 applications, which effected yesterday, would be open until August 10.

“YDF loans will be implemented in the current financial year. However, due to budget challenges and the continued restrictive environment imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it will have some modifications,” he said.

He said the changes would apply to this year’s loans while a comprehensive review of the programme was in the pipeline.

Mr Rakgare said the reduction of the programme’s budget from P120 million to P104 million meant constituencies would be allocated less than the usual P2 million and therefore fewer projects to be funded.

The minister explained that priority would be given to business projects capable of  creating high number of jobs and addressing key government priorities.

Prioritised business ideas, he said, included manufacturing, agriculture, technology covering digitalization and innovation as well as tourism.

“Applications that do not fall under the stated categories will only be considered after all relevant proposals have been exhausted and on the basis of them being able to do well or survive in the current business climate,” he said.

Mr Rakgare said the 2020/21 YDF loans edition was not implemented due to challenges brought about by COVID-19.

Funds allocated to the programme for the financial year  were used to relieve YDF businesses, he said.

He said that was a setback on efforts to support and empower the country’s youth.

Mr Rakgare said the ministry would continue to implement empowerment programmes in the midst of the pandemic.

“YDF provides employment opportunities and a chance to create sustainable businesses. It therefore remains key to our programming to develop and empower the youth,” he said. Ends