The Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) is an initiative of the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, with support from the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
This Project focuses on a model by which young people are provided with the wherewithal to establish sustainable businesses. It combines attributes of several past initiatives and involves inputs from several institutions and donors into a coordinated project that delivers an efficient package of services to young entrepreneurs. The first consultation with stakeholders of the project was held in August 2003. The Trust was officially launched in May 2004.
A very strong training component forms a compulsory element of the DYBT model. The four-week Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) includes a one-week Achievement Motivation Training (AMT) and three weeks of EDP sessions.
A special two-day workshop is compulsory for young applicants who are already in business and satisfy the basic requirements. This facility is referred to as the Small Business Assistance Facility (SBAF).
A very important and integral component of the DYBT model is the Mentorship Programme. This facility in being administered through part funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and technical support from the Barbados Youth Business Trust (BYBT).