About Us
The Youth Economy Agency was established to provide young people with a special economic space to turn hobbies into entrepreneurship and skills into businesses (Youth Economy Act, p. 1). The Agency aims to carve out a unique space in the general economic system for youth entrepreneurship and business growth by providing state resources to young people to create sustainable livelihoods through business development, finance and marketing support, and training and mentorship.
The Agency was established by Youth Economy Act No. 17 of 2022 in the House of Parliament on July 28, 2022. Under the Act, the Agency is intended (inter alia) to implement the Youth Economy Programme. The function and responsibility of the Youth Economy Agency and Youth Economy Programme are guided by the Board of Directors. This Board is mandated to set the mission, vision, values, strategic priorities, objectives, performance targets and organisational policies to inform the Youth Economy Strategic Plan. The Board is also expected to monitor and evaluate the performance of the Agency and give strategic policy direction to facilitate the success of the Youth Economy Programme.
In April 2022, the House of Assembly allocated more than EC$10 million to YEA in the 2022/23 Budget. The Government of Taiwan invested a further EC$137,000 in November 2022.
YEA affords Saint Lucia’s young aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners an exclusive and streamlined facility to access training and mentorship, and to acquire grant and loan financing to start or expand their micro-business ventures.
The Agency was formally launched in March 2023, at the Finance Administrative Centre in Pointe Seraphine. Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Ambassador for the Republic of China (Taiwan) Peter Chia-yen Chen, Members of the Cabinet of Ministers, YEA Chairman Mr. Thomas Leonce, the YEA Board of Directors, government officials, and special invited guests were in attendance.
The launch saw the introduction of the YEA logo, created by a young entrepreneur. The first eleven (11) grants were also presented by the Prime Minister to recipients from across the length and breadth of Saint Lucia. The agency, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, also took the opportunity to launch an all-new Digital Skills Training project targeting the nation’s youth.
The office of the Youth Economy Agency was blessed and officially opened on 3rd April 2023 on #27 Chaussee Road in Castries. Just as the launch was in time for the Commonwealth Year of The Youth, dedicated to youth-led action for sustainable and inclusive development, the opening ceremony of the agency’s physical space was timed to coincide with the advent of Youth Month in Saint Lucia.
(excerpt from the YEA Handbook)
The Agency was established by Youth Economy Act No. 17 of 2022 in the House of Parliament on July 28, 2022. Under the Act, the Agency is intended (inter alia) to implement the Youth Economy Programme. The function and responsibility of the Youth Economy Agency and Youth Economy Programme are guided by the Board of Directors. This Board is mandated to set the mission, vision, values, strategic priorities, objectives, performance targets and organisational policies to inform the Youth Economy Strategic Plan. The Board is also expected to monitor and evaluate the performance of the Agency and give strategic policy direction to facilitate the success of the Youth Economy Programme.
In April 2022, the House of Assembly allocated more than EC$10 million to YEA in the 2022/23 Budget. The Government of Taiwan invested a further EC$137,000 in November 2022.
YEA affords Saint Lucia’s young aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners an exclusive and streamlined facility to access training and mentorship, and to acquire grant and loan financing to start or expand their micro-business ventures.
The Agency was formally launched in March 2023, at the Finance Administrative Centre in Pointe Seraphine. Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre, Ambassador for the Republic of China (Taiwan) Peter Chia-yen Chen, Members of the Cabinet of Ministers, YEA Chairman Mr. Thomas Leonce, the YEA Board of Directors, government officials, and special invited guests were in attendance.
The launch saw the introduction of the YEA logo, created by a young entrepreneur. The first eleven (11) grants were also presented by the Prime Minister to recipients from across the length and breadth of Saint Lucia. The agency, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, also took the opportunity to launch an all-new Digital Skills Training project targeting the nation’s youth.
The office of the Youth Economy Agency was blessed and officially opened on 3rd April 2023 on #27 Chaussee Road in Castries. Just as the launch was in time for the Commonwealth Year of The Youth, dedicated to youth-led action for sustainable and inclusive development, the opening ceremony of the agency’s physical space was timed to coincide with the advent of Youth Month in Saint Lucia.
(excerpt from the YEA Handbook)