MONROVIA – The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Liberia held a one-day Youth Entrepreneurship Research Validation Workshop on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Corina.
By Francis G. Boayue, [email protected]
The event brought together young entrepreneurs, local business leaders, government officials, and representatives from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The purpose of the workshop was to discuss research findings on youth entrepreneurship in Liberia and develop actionable strategies to improve the entrepreneurial landscape for young people in the country.
CRS, which has been working in Liberia since the 1950s, has supported various development initiatives, including agriculture, livelihood, health, nutrition, waste sanitation, women empowerment, and youth reintegration.
In his opening remarks, CRS Head of Programming, Emmanuel S. Kogo, highlighted the importance of engaging youth in national development, stating, “Our youth are the future of Liberia.” He emphasized the role of CRS in supporting youth initiatives and sustainable development through entrepreneurship.
Kogo also noted that the research revealed challenges faced by young entrepreneurs in Liberia, including limited access to finance and inadequate business training.
CRS Business Development Specialist, Emmanuel D. Togba, provided an overview of the workshop, stating that CRS’ goal is to help young people realize their full potential.
He explained that CRS’ youth initiatives are based on the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework, which aims to engage youth, their families, and communities to help them succeed in social, economic, and political spheres.
The research presented by Making Enterprises, BFS Consultant, and Technical Association II-MEAL, focused on sectors like agriculture, technology, and services.
Key recommendations include the need for more training and mentorship opportunities, as well as challenges related to accessing capital.
The workshop served as a platform to validate the research findings and foster collaboration among stakeholders, paving the way for a more supportive environment for youth entrepreneurship in Liberia.
