YouStart Portal

Here is the YouStart Portal and how to apply for the YouStart Ghana Initiative.

The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) will provide training to 50,000 youth and deploy financial support to 5,000 selected youth who successfully undergo training up to the intermediate level.

 

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Table of Contents

About YouStart Portal

  • The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) is tasked with the implementation of the Entrepreneurship Training and Grant Support under Component 2.1 of the World Bank Funded Ghana Jobs and Skills Project (GJSP).
  • The Project is aimed at supporting skills development and job creation in Ghana.

What Does YouStart Offer

  • Training: YouStart Offers Skill Development, Entrepreneurial Support and Business Advisory Services
  • Funding: It Offers access to Credit facility and Starter Packs
  • Enterprise Promotion: It offers mentoring and access to markets, to facilitate business cooperation between youth- led enterprises, other businesses and Government agencies.

About YouStart Entrepreneurship Training

  • 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 as follows: 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.
  • Also advanced training participants will receive mentoring and coaching support, which encompasses 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 Business Start-up Grants will provide financial support to selected youth who successfully undergo training up to the intermediate level.
  • The Business 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

 

YouStart Portal Requirements – Eligibility Criteria

The following category of youth are targeted:

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

YouStart Portal Documents Required

The following documents/information are required to complete your application:
  • A Digital Address
  • A Valid National ID Card preferably “Ghana Card”
  • A Certificate of the most recent education attained
  • A Valid mobile number

 

YouStart Portal

How To Apply for Youstart Ghana Initiative

The Youstart online application portal is activated and accessible from, Monday 14th November onwards

 

Components Of YouStart Initiative

  • The YouStart program will provide district Level Loans of up to GHc10,000 after a period of training.
  • The YouStart program will provide Soft loans of up to GHc 50,000 to help existing start-ups to help them grow and expand
  • The YouStart program will provide standard loans between GH(100,000 to GHc400,000 for SMEs through financial institutions.

 

YouStart Portal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

YouStart Portal Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the entrepreneurship training under the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project?

  • Any Ghanaian youth between the ages of 18 – 40 years with a minimum education of BECE Certification, a valid Ghanaian Identification Card (ID) and willing to start a business can register for the entrepreneurship training.

Can I apply if I have no educational certification or did not complete BECE?

  • Yes. but you can only apply if you have already started a business in Ghana but do not have any educational certification.

Can I apply if I have additional skills training after completing BECE?

  • Yes, youth with skills training who are yet to start a business are encouraged to apply for the training.

What do I need to apply for the training?

  • You will need a valid Ghanaian Identity (ID) Card, preferably the Ghana Card to apply for training,

Do I need to provide a proof of my educational level?

  • Yes, you would need to upload a picture of your educational certificate or results slip as evidence of your educational attainment.

Do I need a valid TIN to apply?

  • Applicants with existing businesses would be required to provide a TIN during the application process.

Do I require a Business Plan to apply for the training?

  • No, you do not require a Business Plan to apply. If you already have an existing one, it will be refined during the program.

Will all applicants be selected for the training?

  • No, only shortlisted applicants would be contacted to participate in the training.

How can I register for the Project?

  • To register, please visit the YouStart Portal or any of GEA’s 206 Business Advisory Centers or 37 Business Resource Centers (BRC) across the country.

YouStart Portal Entrepreneurship Training Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where will the trainings be held?

  • The trainings will be held at the district level. Also, selected applicants would be provided with information on the venues for the training.

How long will the training last?

  • The training will be implemented at 3 levels based on your graduation process as follows: Basic Training will last for 5 Days, Intermediate Training will last for 10 Days and Advanced Training will last for 15 Days.

Will I be given a certificate after completing each level?

  • Yes, each participant will be given a certificate of completion of training.

How will I progress from one level to another?

  • Progress will be based on a participant’s performance during the previous training.

When will I be eligible for Coaching and Mentoring Support?

  • Beneficiaries who reach the advanced level would be eligible for coaching and mentoring support to finetune their business ideas and receive needed support and advice.

YouStart Portal Competitive Startup Grants Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will I be eligible for grant support after the entrepreneurship training?

  • Not everyone is eligible for grant support.

Will I be automatically given the grant support when I apply?

  • No, beneficiaries would be assessed by the Grants Management Team before they would be provided with grants support.

What can the grant support be used for?

The start-up grants will be provided for the following:
• Purchase of machinery and equipment, or technology (software, process technology, etc.
• Start-up business investments targeted at productivity and growth such as marketing and sales, innovation efforts, or operational efficiency
• Working capital, such as purchase of raw materials and consumables, and payment of salaries, rents, and other accounts payables
• Payment for technical advisory services, training, and subscriptions to platforms
• Payment for regulatory compliance, e.g., RGD, FDA registration and license, GSA certification, etc.
• Start-ups seeking to provide essential goods that helps to mitigate against the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or any other disease that may pose a threat to the nation

Would applicants be made to repay the Grant at some future time?

  • Grants are non-repayable. Grant beneficiaries would not be required to repay their grants.

Will the use of the Grant be monitored?

  • Yes. The Grants Manager and his team will review or check all expenditures related to the grants paid to each beneficiary to ensure conformity with the Grants Agreement.

How many selected youths would benefit from the Competitive Startup Grants?

  • Grant will be competitively awarded, it will be given to the best applicants using a set of pre-determined assessment criteria jointly established by a local team of experts and a team from the World Bank Group. Beneficiaries of the Competitive Startup Grants will therefore be limited to 5,000 youths.

What are the assurances for transparency in the assessment of Grant applicants and subsequent award?

  • The GEA is committed to assessing grant applicants transparently and ensuring that only the best applicants receive the competitive startup grants.
  • A key step to ensuring transparency is the limit of human interferences in both the grants application and assessment processes.

 

Contact GEA

Head Office

Regional Offices

GREATER ACCRA REGION

  • Post Office Box MB85, Accra
    +233 (0) 303 943 540
    greateraccra@gea.gov.gh

EASTERN REGION

  • Post Office Box 854, Koforidua
    +233 (0) 243 178 475
    nbssikoforidua@gmail.com

WESTERN REGION

  • Post Office Box 27, Sekondi-Takoradi
    +233 (0) 242 173 989
    nbssisekondi@yahoo.com

ASHANTI REGION

  • Post Office Box 38, Kumasi
    +233 (0) 249 902 876
    nbssiashanti@hotmail.com

VOLTA REGION

  • Post Office Box 119, Ho
    +233 (0) 246 274 682
    nbssi_volta@yahoo.com

CENTRAL REGION

  • Post Office Box 770, Cape Coast
    +233 (0) 208 119 024
    nbssicentral@gmail.com

BRONG AHAFO REGION

  • Post Office Box 662, Sunyani
    +233 (0) 244 801 064
    nbssiba@yahoo.com

UPPER EAST REGION

  • Post Office Box 50, Bolgatanga
    +233 (0) 277 377 723
    nbssiuer@yahoo.com

OTI REGION

  • ORCC, Box 1, Dambai
    +233 (0) 303943544
    oti@gea.gov.gh

NORTHERN REGION

  • Post Office Box 100, Tamale
    +233 (0) 20 840 7009
    nbssinr@yahoo.com

UPPER WEST REGION

  • Post Office Box 277, Wa
    +233 (0) 244 073 083
    nbssiupperwest@yahoo.com

Related Searches

  • Youstart Online Portal 2022/2023/2024, Youstart Initiative 2022/2023/2024, You Start Ghana , Youstart Online Application Form 2022/2023/2024
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56 Comments

  1. Please l have applied for the program since November 2022,but I have not heard anything yet.
    But I they say that there is training to take off this week. Please can you confirm?

    Reply

  11. This is a good initiative by the incumbent, looking forward to being a part of this initiative I am done applying.

    Reply

  12. I started filling the forms but if I insert the OPT the response is invalid what should I do?

    Reply

  14. Am young entrepreneur that need your help with some money to set up business for others as well

    Reply

  19. Youstart has been a very beautiful plan
    for the people of our Mother land Ghana
    We appreciate your concern about our progress in life.
    We salute Youstart Ghana.

    Reply

  23. well my name is Nuhu mlMohammed 27 years of age not single am married with two kids

    Reply

  24. I have a coconut farm(4 acres) in Kwabre East. Sakora Wonoo to be precise; kindly assist me to start keeping bees there. Thank you.

    Reply

  28. I WILL BE EXCITED IF I CAN BE ENROLLED ON THIS PROGRAM , WILL HELP ME TO BOOST MY FARMS BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

    Reply

  29. I WILL BE HAPPY IF CAN ENROLLED ME TO THIS PROGRAM SO THAT IT WILL ME TO DEVELOP MY SKILLS

    Reply

  32. I would like to be enrolled in this program so that I can establish my female footwear business.

    Reply

  37. I will be glad if I can be part into this program , it will help me improve my fashion skills and also bust my fashion activities
    Thank you

    Reply

  39. I WILL BE HAPPY IF I CAN BE ENROLLED INTO THIS PROGRAM, THIS WOULD HAVE HELP ME REVAMP MY BUSINESS AND ALSO BUST MY FARMING ACTIVITIES

    Reply

  41. Am about to graduate from my training as a fashion design and am also a member of the GNTDA

    Reply

    1. This a splendid opportunity for all I must commend BUT THE STEPS TO REGISTER IS YOO COMPLICATED
      THERE OS NO BUTTON LIKE <<<<>>>> that will simply take you a REGISTRATION INTERFACE to register and apply

      Reply

    1. I am into retail business and Carpentery service provider. And need support. I can employ more if I am supported. I currently have two workers.

      Reply

  51. I started the application process of Youstars and process it to a place where they are asking of Digital address but when I enter the digital address it tells me is not valid

    Reply

  54. Are there avenues to assist those above 50 to acquire simple machines to aid in agric production? Eg the acquisition of a walking tractor, rippers,20 hp pumps for water etc

    Reply

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