A coarse overview details that the YEA has given over EC$ 1 million so far to 253 youth from every walk of life in Saint Lucia since offices opened on April 3rd, 2023. The organisation says it will continue responding to the needs of ambitious youth for the years to come.

 “The businesses that have been assisted in this latest round of disbursements are engaged in real estate, agro-processing, the creative arts, retailing, tourism and accommodation, food and beverage, cosmetology, design, farming, graphic design, videography, auto repair, health and wellness, landscaping, architecture, and small manufacturing, among others. Soufriere, Choiseul, Laborie, Canaries, Gros Islet, Mon Repos, Micoud, Babonneau, Vieux Fort, Dennery, Anse La Raye, and Castries are among the communities represented by this latest cohort,” the agency told SNO.

 Addressing the ceremony was Ms. Tanzania Mathurin-Fedee, a recipient and a business owner, who encouraged her fellow youth to engage in the services of the YEA. In addition to furnishing over 250 business owners with grants between April and August of this year, YEA has also engaged in training in Business Planning and Digital Marketing for over 100 individuals, with a further tranche of Digital Marketing training set to get underway in September. The agency has paired more than 30 young people with experienced mentors, who are providing one-on-one coaching over six months.