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Youth Entrepreneur Programs

Community Futures St Paul - Smoky Lake Region provides a variety of services and tools for youth to assist them in their career and job search needs. Available services are as follows.

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation is a national charitable organization that empowers aspiring young Canadian entrepreneurs, age 18-34, to start up their own business. CYBF' s three core services: start-up financing, mentoring, and business resources are delivered in local communities across Canada through volunteer community partner organizations.

Founded in 1996 by the RBC Foundation and the CIBC, CYBF was created to address underemployment and unemployment concerns amongst youth in Canada. CYBF is modeled after the Prince's Trust program in the UK and is an accredited member of Youth Business International, a global network of 40 countries.


Western Youth Entrepreneur Program

This program is tailored to meet the financial needs of young adults between the ages of 18 to 29 and who are interested in self employment as a career choice.

Financing up to $25,000 is offered at a low interest rate (Youth business finance requirements over $25,000 could be drawn from Community Futures St Paul - Smoky Lake Region General Investment Fund)

Minimal cash equity is required (as low as 10%)

Youth clients receive extensive coaching and assistance with business plan development, cash flow projections and market research

Youth clients are provided with business management training and "after care" to enhance business success

Youth clients have access to Community Futures Resource Library, referral services, a computer as well as other CF services

Other Youth Programs

In addition to the lending program, there are a wide variety of youth entrepreneur training programs available to youth between the ages of 14 - 29, including youth groups, youth centers, school students (junior and senior high) and community organizations.

Entrepreneur awareness and information sessions illustrate how young people can start and operate their own mini-business on a part time or after school basis

A series of entrepreneur training sessions based on a school project (example - fundraising for a band trip, operating a school canteen, etc.)

Delivery of business education workshops on a variety of topics, geared to suit the age group and the student environment: bookkeeping, marketing, budgeting, communication, and other areas of business management.