Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry has kicked off this year's Youth Co:Lab Samoa program in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Now in its fourth year in Samoa, the business-oriented workshop provides a platform to offer resources, networking and speakers to advise and train the young entrepreneurs and innovators grow their businesses has been held. 

About 40 participants have registered this year which the proponents of the program saying the registration numbers are the largest they have had since the initiative was launched in 2018. 

In previous years between 20–25 participants registered to be participate, though this year the program is fortunate to have their partners come up with more funding which has opened the door for more participants.

The program has helped and hosted about 100 youth who have participated in the Youth Co:Lab Samoa program.

The C.E.O. of the Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lemauga Hobart Vaai, told the Samoa Observer that they've always been praying for opportunities for their youth entrepreneurs and this is the answer. 

“I praise God for this opportunity because this is something that we have always been praying for that there are opportunities provided for our youth entrepreneurs because there’s not much support out there so we prayed and fasted as a team to have these programs to support our youth," Lemauga said. 

He said the Chamber supports the initiative to support the youth by providing a space to hear their voice and ideas about business. 

Some of the youths in attendance already have start up businesses and see that this as an opportunity to learn from others to help theirs grow.

A new participant to the program, Rose Reeds, told the Samoa Observer that Youth Co:Lab program helps young entrepreneurs with their business ideas. 

As the owner of a baking business over the last three years, she said she sees Youth Co:Lab program as providing that opportunity for her to learn more to improve her business. 

“I want to further my knowledge to help me move forward on how to run my business from home and learn from other youths with their ideas," she said. 

Youth Co:Lab Samoa was created in partnership with the UNDP as an Asia-Pacific initiative to invest in the Youth in implementing Sustainable Development Goals through leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship. This Global initiative also includes Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu with the whole purpose of accelerating the development of the pacific region through young leaders and youth entrepreneurs.