YouStart: Portal, How to Apply and Offices
Everyone has an idea about what they want to do in life and how they want to live it, but more often than not, people are told that their dreams are not realistic or simply too difficult to turn into reality.
At YouStart, they believe that anyone can pursue their career goals, however, lofty they may seem, and the only thing standing in the way of those aspirations is a lack of access to information on how to go about it.
What is YouStart?
The Youth Entrepreneurship and Start-up Grants (YouStart) is an innovative startup portal, that has been set up to support and nurture the growth of startups in Ghana and to develop the startup ecosystem in Ghana.
The initiative was set up by the Government of Ghana with the aim of building an entrepreneurial nation.
50,000 youth under this program will be trained and after, 5,000 who will successfully undergo the training program will be selected and be provided with financial support into making their entrepreneurial dreams into a reality.
Eligibility Criteria for YouStart selection
- Applicant must be between 18 to 40 years.
- Applicant must be at least a Junior High School graduate who has sat for the Basic Education Certificate Examination.
- Applicant must have the willingness to start a business.
- If you are a school dropout who is already in a business, you will be considered.
- Women and persons with disabilities would be given special attention.
Requirements for selection
- Digital address
- Valid National Identification Card (Ghana Card preferred).
- Certificate of the most recent education attained.
- Valid mobile number.
How to apply
Currently, the YouStart Ghana online application portal has not been opened. You can check on their website: https://gea.gov.gh/gjsp/apply/ for regular updates.
However, if you want to register for the training program, you can visit any of the GEA 206 Business Advisory Centers or 37 Business Resource Centers across the country.
What impact will the YouStart program bring?
The YouStart is expected to broaden job creation, job sustainability, business innovations, and growth for enterprises owned by the Ghanaian youth in the country which will lead to a reduction of social vices caused by unemployment amongst the youth.
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Can anyone apply?
Anyone of Ghanaian background can apply. You must be between 18 to 40 years with a minimum education of BECE Certificate.
If you don’t have a BECE certificate, then you must have already started a business in Ghana to be considered.
Can I apply with no business plan?
You don’t need to have a business plan or idea to apply for the YouStart program. However, if you do have one, it will be refined during the program.
YouStart offices and contact details
YouStart Ghana currently has offices located across the nation where you can visit and get your questions and queries sorted.
Head office
Address: 4 Abdul Gamel Nasser Avenue, Ridge, Accra
Contact: 2330500607238
Email: [email protected]
Regional offices
Greater Accra Region
Post Office Box MB85, Accra
+233 (0) 303 943 540
[email protected]
Eastern Region
Post Office Box 854, Koforidua
+233 (0) 243 178 475
[email protected]
Volta Region
Post Office Box 119, Ho
+233 (0) 246 274 682
[email protected]
Central Region
Post Office Box 770, Cape Coast
+233 (0) 208 119 024
[email protected]
Western Region
Post Office Box 27, Sekondi-Takoradi
+233 (0) 242 173 989
[email protected]
Ashanti Region
Post Office Box 38, Kumasi
+233 (0) 249 902 876
[email protected]
Brong Ahafo Region
Post Office Box 662, Sunyani
+233 (0) 244 801 064
[email protected]
Northern Region
Post Office Box 100, Tamale
+233 (0) 20 840 7009
[email protected]
Upper West Region
Post Office Box 277, Wa
+233 (0) 244 073 083
[email protected]
Upper East Region
Post Office Box 50, Bolgatanga
+233 (0) 277 377 723
[email protected]
Oti Region
ORCC, Box 1, Dambai
+233 (0) 303943544
[email protected]
Conclusion
As a youth business-minded youth, this is a great initiative to partake in. You don’t need to have a business plan to join. Just have the zeal to do business and success will be yours.
