The Career Day in Timor-Leste concluded with the awarding of the entrepreneurs with three business ideas, empowering youth entrepreneurs in the hospitality and tourism sector in Timor-Leste.
© Heejin Ahn/ILO The event was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the HOTL Association, Pro Ema and Fundacao Cicanda (STVJ) to support young aspiring and existing entrepreneurs gain practical knowledge and skills on entrepreneurship and business development and connect them with key actors in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including investors, partners, and business development service providers.
The 12 finalists of the business plan competition gave their pitches in front of the judges and the audience. The finalists participated at the 3-day training by the ILO, STVJ and Pro Ema on 27-29 May 2024 to develop and refine their business plans, using selected module of the Small Business Competitiveness (SBC) Programme. The SBC Programme provides guidance to enterprises and aspiring entrepreneurs in the hospitality and tourism sector.
The event featured career talk by an entrepreneur that shared her entrepreneurial journey of transforming her passion for nutrition, health, and food science into a sustainable business. She provided valuable insights and advice to aspiring youth entrepreneurs. Representatives from the BNCTL provided youth with information on financing, both working capital and investment, Pro Ema on mentoring and training opportunities, and HOTL Association on the benefits of its membership through side booths.
A participant said, "This business plan competition motivated me to keep learning and achieve my goals."
A representative from HOTL Association said, "HOTL Association looks forward to continue working with the ILO to build a strong, sustainable and thriving hospitality and tourism sector in Timor-Leste."
Over 60 participants joined the event, including representatives from the public and private sector, training institutions, and the Japanese Embassy in Timor-Leste.
The event is part of the Building Youth Capacity and Network in Asia Pacific project funded by the Government of Japan; It aims to develop a network of development partners to equip young entrepreneurs with the skills needed to start their own businesses and become drivers of sustainable development. A project activity focuses on promoting employment and decent work opportunities for youth in the hospitality and tourism sector in Timor-Leste.
