Applications are now open for the 2024/2025 Botswana Youth Development Fund. The Youth Development Fund (YDF) is a socio-economic programme for start-ups and expanding businesses. YDF was introduced in the financial year 2009/10 as an economic empowerment programme meant to assist aspiring youth to venture into various economic enterprises funded at 50% loan & 50% grant. MYSC works in collaboration with other stakeholders such as Local Enterprise Authority to build the spirit of entrepreneurship and other government ministries and parastatals who offer technical support.
Eligibility Requirements
Botswana citizens aged 18-35 years
Out-of-school youth
Unemployed youth
Underemployed youth earning less than P2 500/month
Youth cooperatives comprising of 5-10 members
Existing youth businesses: self-funded and funded through other government schemes such as LIMID, Poverty Eradication, Out of school youth grant whose businesses have operated for 6 months and above
Supporting Documents
A cash-flow forecast statement covering all revenue and expenditure for a period of 12 months
Two (2) sets of quotations covering all items included in the proposed budget
A copy of valid license of operation (where applicable)
Certified copies of valid national identity document (Omang) for all business partners
A letter of intent to lease or lease agreement in cases of operating businesses or proof of ownership thereof
Curriculum Vitae of all members/partners
Certified copies of vocational and or academic certificates or traceable references (where applicable)
Copy of partnership deed, or cooperative constitution, or memorandum and articles of association (where applicable)
Company resolutions for loan application
Succession plan
Certificates of business registration and shareholder’s certificate should show full details (i.e. names and ages) of members. (Form 2 & 5 listing Company Directors)
Certified copies of parents/guardians/spouse’s national identity card (Omang)
Proof of market (letters of intent to buy from potential customers, market research report)
The expert consultation form should be part of the YDF form as a guide to youth to consult with the relevant experts that are in line with their proposed projects (where applicable)
For married applicants (in community of property) there should be written consent from the spouse
ITC clearance report upon approval and this should be provided by the applicant
Applicants to provide documents confirming suitability of the proposed project site
Application Deadline: September 20, 2024
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Botswana Youth Development Fund
