About YBSL

Youth Business Sri Lanka programme is the country wide expansion of the Hambantota Youth Business Trust (HYBT) which has been in operation over last 10 years. Implemented in 32 countries and modeled after the Youth Business International of UK, youth business programmes supports youth to start a business. The objective of YBSL is to address socio-economic exclusion of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds through provision of financial support to “disadvantaged youth” who has a viable business idea, to start up such enterprises and to provide business support through the existing institutional frameworks and specifically through a business mentor.

Secretariat and Board of Trustees: Led by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC), a national expansion strategy for YBSL was initiated in 2007 after extensive consultations with potential stakeholders, and a national board of trustees was set up. The YBSL National Secretariat is established at Ceylon Chamber of Commerce premises.

YBSL Partners: International Alert (IA) supported YBSL to establish YBSL National Secretariat at Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, recruitment of the national Programme Manager and for the operation of the YBSL Secretariat. It also supports preparation of the YBSL manual, which incorporates the procedures and the protocols of implementing district YBSL programme. ILO Office in Sri Lanka supported YBSL by engaging YBSL to do mentorship programmes in some of the targeted districts and funding to print the Mentor manual and capacity building of chamber management on mentoring. Business for Peace Alliance (BPA) provided much needed documentary compiling and translation support for the YBSL Secretariat.

Credit Fund : YBSL has secured adequate funds, through donor support and self generated, to commence the YBSL district programme in a modest scale. International Alert supported in initiating the credit fund for the pilot launch in Kegalle, Badulla and Trincomalee and further support is pledged to expand the programme to north and east. CACCI Foundation supports YBSL to expand the programme to Jaffna and Kandy. Discussions are underway with the Sampath Bank Plc for enhancing the credit fund by an endowment from their micro credit banking division. Further support is expected from British Asia Trust, UK and local CSR initiatives. YBSL has forwarded funding proposals to seek funding to finance the credit fund.

Profiling YBSL : YBSL is also profiling itself as an organization that addresses the issues of rural and disadvantaged youth and would be a key institution that links the private sector initiatives with the youth employment. YBSL conducted a regional conference on youth early this year and is engaged in a mentorship development programme with Sri Lanka office of the ILO. Last June YBSL conducted an exchange visit to Maldives to share views and experiences of the Maldivian Youth Ministry as an outcome of the youth conference.