Southern Members Program

The Saint Lucia Youth Business Trust (SLYBT)

is a dynamic non-profit initiative, established in November 2011 by the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce. Passionately committed to driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and building resilient communities across the island by empowering young entrepreneurs (ages 18–35) to realize their business asperations.

Through targeted training programs, dedicated mentorship, accessible financing options, and strategic business development support, SLYBT provides comprehensive assistance to both aspiring and established young business owners. We believe in nurturing the next generation of thriving business leaders who will not only succeed in the marketplace but also address the critical social, environmental, and economic challenges facing our island.

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Our Core Programs: Catalysts for Success

  • Social Enterprise Incubator: This intensive 2-month hybrid program is designed to equip social entrepreneurs with the essential tools and knowledge to  launch and grow businesses with a strong social mission. Participants     benefit from expert-led training, one-on-one mentorship from industry     professionals, and access to development grants to kickstart their     ventures.
  • Entrepreneurial Incubator: Our 1-month program provides aspiring entrepreneurs with a solid foundation in key business principles. The curriculum covers financial literacy, effective marketing strategies, robust business modeling techniques, and other vital skills for sustainable business success.
  • Small Member Support Program (SMSP) - Elevate: Learn more about our Elevate initiative below, designed to enhance the operational capacity of existing small businesses.

SLYBT’s Strategic Partnerships: Expanding Our Reach

  • Youth Business Caribbean (YBC): SLYBT is a proud member of Youth Business Caribbean     (YBC), a powerful regional coalition of youth business organizations.     Through YBC, we collaborate with partners across the Caribbean to foster a     stronger and more interconnected entrepreneurial ecosystem.
  • Youth Business International (YBI): In July 2024, SLYBT achieved a significant milestone by     becoming an official member of Youth Business International (YBI). This     global network provides invaluable resources, connections, and best     practices to support youth entrepreneurs worldwide, further amplifying our     impact in Saint Lucia.  
  • Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW): Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is a worldwide     campaign held every November to celebrate and support entrepreneurs,     especially those facing barriers to entry. It involves millions of people     participating in various activities designed to inspire them and provide     the knowledge, experience, and connections needed for success. GEW aims to     create an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, reaching beyond major tech     hubs to include underserved communities and emerging economies. Local     organizers drive national campaigns, tailoring events to their community’s     needs. While concentrated in one week, GEW fosters long-lasting     connections and collaborations to support entrepreneurs. The initiative is     powered by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and supported by various     partners, including corporate sponsors and entrepreneurship support     organizations. The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) operates GEW and     other programs to facilitate starting and scaling businesses, focusing on     celebrating entrepreneurs, understanding enabling conditions, supporting     entrepreneurs through interventions, and connecting stakeholders to     strengthen local ecosystems.  

Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024: A Resounding Success

The Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, in closecollaboration with SLYBT, proudly hosted a series of impactful events forGEW2024, achieving significant engagement and positive outcomes. Theseactivities were strategically designed to inspire, educate, and connect theentrepreneurial community, with a strong emphasis on empowering young peopleand fostering a culture of innovation.

GEW 2024 Highlights:

  • Launch and Speed Networking Forum: This high-energy event provided a dynamic platform for     entrepreneurs and key stakeholders to connect, forge valuable     relationships, and explore potential collaborations.
  • Power Breakfast:     Attendees gained valuable insights from a keynote address by the Permanent     Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, who provided an in-depth overview of     Saint Lucia’s economic outlook for 2024/2025.
  • Mental Wellness Workshop: "Resilience and     Well-Being": Recognizing the     demanding nature of entrepreneurship, this workshop equipped participants     with practical tools and strategies for managing stress, building     resilience, and maintaining overall well-being.
  • Innovation Webinar: "Fueling the Future": This webinar explored the cutting-edge innovation     skills that entrepreneurs need to thrive in a rapidly evolving business     landscape.
  • Panel Discussion: "Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as     an Entrepreneur": This     insightful session provided a supportive space for entrepreneurs to     discuss the challenges of imposter syndrome and learn actionable     strategies to build confidence and resilience.
  • Partner Activities: The week also featured a diverse range of partner-led     initiatives, including a vibrant Youth Marketplace, a Business Mixer to     foster networking, and the prestigious Impact Awards, which celebrated     outstanding achievements within the local entrepreneurial community.

Gratitude to Our Valued Sponsors:

 

SLYBT extends its sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors, whose vitalsupport makes our work possible. A special thank you to our key sponsor,Republic Bank (St. Lucia), and all other organizations that have demonstratedtheir commitment to empowering Saint Lucia’s youth and driving innovation.

GEW2025 November 17 - 23

ThisNovember, Global Entrepreneurship Network will celebrate 18 years of helpingmillions of people unleash their ideas to start and scale new businessesthrough Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Formore information about GEW events and how to get involved in futureinitiatives, please contact the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry andAgriculture.

Small Member Support Program (SMSP) - Elevate: Empowering SmallBusiness Growth

Elevate is a specialized program within the Small Member Support Program(SMSP), designed to empower small businesses and elevate their operations toachieve greater sustainability, resilience, and profitability. The program'sname, "Elevate," reflects its core mission: to uplift and empowersmall businesses through the provision of best practices, valuable knowledgesharing, targeted training, strategic business promotion, and effectivenetworking opportunities.

Elevate workshops are meticulously crafted to provide participants with thecritical knowledge and practical skills necessary to significantly improvetheir business operations, enhance their competitiveness, and achievesustainable growth.

Upcoming Elevate Workshops:

  • Costing & Pricing: This essential workshop will equip participants with     the skills to calculate accurate prices for their products or services,     utilizing essential tools and understanding often-overlooked cost     components.
       
    • Date: April 23–30, 2025
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    • Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
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    • Location: Chamber’s Conference Room
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    • Facilitator: Sonia Polius
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    • Fee: $650 (Non-Members)
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    • Register here
    • Business Continuity Planning: In an increasingly unpredictable world, this workshop     will guide participants in developing robust business continuity plans to     effectively mitigate potential risks and ensure swift business recovery in     the face of disruptions.
         
      • Date: June 2–5, 2025
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      • Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
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      • Location: Chamber’s Conference Room
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      • Fee: $500 (Non-Members)
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      • Register here
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    • Understanding Financial Statements: This highly practical workshop will empower     participants to decode financial reports, enabling them to accurately     assess the financial health of their business and make informed strategic     decisions.
         
      • Date: August 6, 2025
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      • Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
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      • Location: Via Zoom
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      • Fee: $300 (Non-Members)
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      • Register here
    These capacity-building workshops are offered at reasonable prices and areconveniently accessible to small business operators. We encourage you to sharethis valuable opportunity with your clients, partners, and fellow entrepreneurswho can greatly benefit from strengthening their enterprises through Elevate.Our Impact: Transforming Lives and CommunitiesSLYBT is proud of the tangible impact we have made in fostering youthentrepreneurship in Saint Lucia:
    • Launched     over 15 successful youth-led social enterprises  
    • Showcased     the talents and achievements of more than 30 entrepreneurs during GEW     events  
    • Provided     ongoing mentorship and support services to our growing network of alumni  
    • Continually     expanding our regional and global collaborations to maximize our reach and     impact  
    Get Involved: Be a Catalyst for Change We invite you to join us in our mission to empower Saint Lucia's youngentrepreneurs and build a thriving future for our island. Whether you are ayoung entrepreneur with a vision, an experienced mentor willing to share yourexpertise, an investor seeking impactful opportunities, or a potential partnercommitted to economic development, there's a place for you at SLYBT.

Contact Us: Saint Lucia Youth Business Trust (SLYBT)

Bois D’Orange, Gros Islet, St. Lucia 
Phone: (758) 452-3165 / 485-3882
Register to become a member today!
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