Empowering Youth for a Resilient Future: Building Skills and Economic Growth

Today’s youth are navigating an increasingly complex path to adulthood, facing heightened challenges in joining the workforce, particularly in times of economic uncertainty. Research from the Future Skills Centre highlights the risks young people face during economic downturns, such as "labour market scarring," (Future Skills Centre, Canada) where reduced earnings and fewer career opportunities persist long-term. As we work to build a robust economy for the future, supporting youth in developing resilience, adaptability, and critical skills is essential—and entrepreneurship is a powerful tool to achieve just that.

Youth Entrepreneurship: A Path to Resilience

Entrepreneurship, while not for everyone, provides young people with valuable skills like problem-solving, innovation, and project management. By engaging in entrepreneurial programming, youth not only develop job-ready skills but also gain a sense of ownership and confidence, learning to navigate the modern economic landscape with adaptability. The YOU Power Project's youth entrepreneurship programs are designed with these needs in mind, supporting young people in building real-world skills through hands-on experiences and practical financial literacy.

Program Success Stories: Real Impact for Real Lives

In our most recent initiative, the Student Summer Ventures program, youth aged 10-15 across Ontario learned the ins and outs of starting their own businesses in just six weeks. The results speak volumes: 83% of participants had operational businesses by the program's end, and 33% completed every project milestone. With guidance in business planning, financial literacy, and project development, these young entrepreneurs gained skills they’ll carry into their future careers, whatever paths they choose.

Here’s a glimpse of the impact this program had on a few participants:

• Delilah, 15: "One of my favorite parts was the ‘Dream Day’ call for our vision boards."
• Payton, 11: "When I started my ice cream business, I didn’t understand expenses, so the week we learned about them really helped. I sold out of ice cream! Now, I feel more confident."
• Charlotte, 14: "Through this program, I learned how to manage my dog-walking business better and grow more comfortable with customers."
• Cruz, 11: "I do soccer training for kids ages 6-9. This program helped me manage my business and my time. My goal is to help kids fulfill their dream of soccer."

Why Now? Youth as the Largest Demographic and a Key Economic Driver

Today, there are 1.8 billion youth aged 10-24 globally, making this generation the largest demographic in history (Harvard University, Investing in the Future).

As future leaders, innovators, and changemakers, it’s time to shift the way we invest in youth beyond nonprofits and charities and bring substantial resources to support their growth.

Aligning with Economic Development Goals: A Win for All

Our programs don’t just help individual youth; they contribute to the broader economy by developing job-ready, resilient individuals who will support local and global economic growth. When communities invest in youth programming, they foster a cycle of development where young people gain critical skills, contribute to local businesses, and become active participants in their communities’ economic futures.

By supporting initiatives like Student Summer Ventures, communities can ensure their youth are prepared for success. Economic development initiatives like these play a pivotal role in equipping young people with the tools they need to contribute meaningfully to their local economies and build prosperous futures.

To learn more about integrating youth programming into your community’s economic goals, reach out to schedule a call with our team. Together, we can create impactful opportunities for the next generation.