Mr Clemvio Hodge & Mr Bren Romney
In a virtual setting, the Anguilla Youth Business Foundation launched its 4th Global Entrepreneurship Week, on Monday, November 8th, under the theme “Exploring the Business of the Green, Blue and Social Economies.”
According to Enterprise Development Officer, Ms. Schanice Busby, “Global Entrepreneurship Week inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self starters and innovators.”
Together with Ms. Busby, the panel at the launch comprised of Council Member, Mr. Bren Romney; Chairman, Mr. Clemvio Hodge; and Deputy Chairperson, Twyla Richardson-Thomas.
In presenting a general overview of the development of the Anguilla Youth Business Foundation, Mr. Romney explained why Anguilla had embraced the “foundation” model of the entrepreneurial entity, and not the “trust” model, as is the case in other countries.
He mentioned: “The process to develop an entrepreneur programme in Anguilla started in 2013 under the auspices of the Department of Youth and Culture. At that time, the intent was to create an avenue that would enable young people who are interested in starting small businesses, to acquire the necessary skills, training and funding to do so…
“We realised that this programme by itself was not adequate, and we needed a broader infrastructure, not only to provide entrepreneurial developmental services to young people, but also to have regional and international resources that young people can benefit from. The concept behind a trust surfaced after we looked at what was happening in other Caribbean territories where they developed a Youth Business Trust to govern youth business affairs.
“However, in Anguilla, we did not think that a trust model was best for us, given our legal environment. A foundation model would have served us with a better fit. Consequently, the Anguilla Youth Business Foundation was established, under the Foundation Act of Anguilla, bearing elements of a trust, but with some added benefits.”
He said that, by comparison, Anguilla has a foundation that is similar to that of Barbados. He noted that the central purpose of the Anguilla Youth Business Foundation is to create an enabling environment that would allow young persons with business ideas to establish those businesses in Anguilla and to receive the type of support necessary for such businesses to thrive.
The activities for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2021, following Monday’s launch included: “Entrepreneur for a Day”, in collaboration with the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, on Tuesday, November 9th; “Youth in the Blue and Green Economy”, in collaboration with the Anguilla National Youth Council, on Wednesday, November 10th; and “Mind Your Own Business”, a Facebook Live Roadshow, on Thursday, November 11th.
The Chairman of the Foundation, Mr. Clevio Hodge, reflected: “Last year, one of the most outstanding activities was the Entrepreneurship Expo, which was a great source of information and insight for young entrepreneurs, where over 200 persons attended.” This year, however, considering the social and health issues of Covid, Mr. Hodge said that he regrets such gatherings are not possible at this time.
