gea.gov.gh Youstart Portal

• The GEA will provide entrepreneurship training to about 50,000 youth and early adults who have the potential to start a business.
• This will be done through three levels of entrepreneurship training namely: basic, intermediate, and advanced.

Nature Of YouStart Entrepreneurship Training

• The training will be based on standardized, quality-assured packages in different locations nationwide. All training will be delivered using an experiential participatory approach conducive for adult learning and will also be district based and non-residential.
• Advanced training participants will receive mentoring and coaching support, which includes guidance to prepare business plans, meet business registration and licensing requirements, and connect with input and output markets. Short duration internship, mentoring and guidance sessions would be arranged for some selected beneficiaries.

About YouStart Competitive Business Start-up Grants

• The Grants will provide financial support to selected youth who successfully undergo training up to the intermediate level.
• The Start-up Grants will be available to individuals and self-formed groups, majority-owned by Ghanaians, with high potential to succeed in business, and operating in any of the non-resource-based sectors.
  The start-up grants will be given for the following:

1. Purchase of machinery and equipment, or technology
2. Start-up business investments targeted at productivity and growth
3. Working capital, such as purchase of raw materials and consumables, and payment of salaries
4. Payment for technical advisory services, training, and subscriptions to platforms
5. Payment for regulatory compliance, e.g., RGD, FDA registration and license, GSA certification
6. Start-ups seeking to provide essential goods that helps to mitigate against public health threats

Gea.gov.gh Youstart Portal Requirements – Eligibility Criteria

• Youth between the ages of 18 to 40 years can apply
• A Minimum of Basic Education Certificate Examination required
• Willingness to start a business
• School dropouts already in a business would be considered
• Special attention would also be given to women and Persons with Disabilities (PWD)