31 Aug 2021

Extending deadline of submission of applications aimed at funding youth projects has seen requests soaring from 111 to 329 for the financial year 2021/22. 

Initially the closing date of submission for Youth Development Fund was August 10, but given the low numbers, the date was extended to August 20 which saw 218 more proposals.  

In an interview, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development (MYSC) Programmes Officer  I, Ms Chedza Malapela said during the last financial, 147 applications were received, indicating  an increase of 182 applications this current financial year. 

She said this year’s applications, exceeded the funds allocated, for  the project. 

She said    applications might be higher because of the rate of youth unemployment.

Ms Malapela said her office provided services to Tonota, Semotswane, Mandunyane, Foley, Mabesekwa in the Tonota Constituency and Borolong, Shashemooke, Natale, Makobo and Jamataka in Shashe West constituency including Serule and Gojwane in Serowe North.

Regarding application forms, Ms Malapela said the forms were made easy and available in both Setswana and English and accessible online 

“Extension for closing date was across all districts as the number of application forms submitted were low as compared to the previous years,” she said. 

She said that the low turnout could have been due to COVID-19, with the idea that some possible applicants might have been on isolation, quarantine hence the extension, meant to afford them an opportunity to submit. 

Ms Malapela advised the youth to take their time when they have business ideas, than to rush for funding. 

The officer said this year’s main project line was based on Manufacturing (food security, sanitizer, jam, bakery and others), technology (information technology), agriculture (small stock), and tourism (agro-tourism).

Therefore, she said liaising with experts on those fields was a necessity as it would guide them run viable projects. 

Youth Development Fund (YDF) scheme was introduced in financial year 2009/10 as an economic empowerment scheme that was meant to support aspiring youth to venture into numerous economic enterprises funded at 50 percent loan and 50 percent grant.

The ministry is working in collaboration with other stakeholders such as Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) to build the spirit of entrepreneurship and other government ministries and parastatals who offer technical support to this undertaking.

In principle, YDF aims to achieve some endeavors that includes promoting active involvement of youth in the socio-economic development of the country. ENDS