More often than not, it is the lack of finance or start-up costs that are the major barrier preventing rural youth from developing their own employment opportunities either on or off farm. Youth often do not have enough
capital of their own to invest in a business venture. So while their own financial resources are often lacking this is compounded by the fact that
credit is seldom available or adequate for rural youth. Because mainstream banks and credit agencies view youth as 'high risk' they are more often than not unlikely to extend credit or other financing schemes to them. However, given the appropriate
support and enabling environment, such youth business enterprises can succeed with rural youth paying back any loans.
Initiative
NSL 3 of the Pacific Youth Strategy 2010
encourages governments and development agencies to establish and maintain funding schemes to support youth employment and income-generation initiatives in PICTSs.Usually start-up costs are small but loans to cover these amounts need to be made more readily available to rural youth.
What we need to know from you are examples of such credit and finance schemes that have been made available to rural youth and which have been used to start up businesses related to agriculture. What are examples of good practice and what are the main lessons learned. We look forward to you sharing your stories.
Women in Business Development in Samoa are really forging ahead in developing microenterprises that help support livelihoods for rural women, including youth. How can this substantial experience be used to mentor and strengthen youth livelihoods?
The philosophy behind Success Case Replication is that among the rural poor are farmers and groups that have achieved a remarkable level of success at their occupations, whether in agriculture, animal husbandry, micro-enterprises or management of participatory groups or cooperatives. In achieving such success, they have gained valuable experience overcoming varied constraints. In a manner of speaking, they have become experts in their chosen field. These successful people have much to teach their peers and, because they are fully familiar with local language, customs and markets, they can become effective instructors. 
While adult microenterprise programs are expanding across the globe, very few of these efforts focus on supporting youth. A new report from Making Cents International assesses the challenges and opportunities of building a global youth microenterprise movement. The report notes that new initiatives need to emphasize “livelihood development.” It’s not enough to help youth start a business; they also need support in other key areas such as life skills, career counseling, and financial literacy. They also recommend that non-profits and government agencies expand efforts to engage the private sector in support of youth microenterprise efforts. Access the 2008 Making Cents International report, Youth Microenterprise and Livelihoods: State of the Field here.
FRIEND is a registered non-government organisation administering community programs for unemployed and rural women. FRIEND, together with various community groups, works to reduce poverty, create income generation programs, and to help empower individuals and their communities, both socially and economically. FRIEND is particularly focused on poverty alleviation and creating gender equity in rural and under-served communities in Fiji. Friend's Fiji Style® products include chutneys, pickles, jams, handmade cards, and handicrafts. FRIEND is the recipient of a number of national and international awards and recently won Fiji Association of Social Workers NGO of the Year 2007.
