In a concerted effort to enhance livelihoods, build resilience, and promote social cohesion, the Integrated Youth Empowerment Center (IYEC), in collaboration with IOM-UN Migration, successfully conducted a three-day intensive training program from the 10th to 12,December 2024 with beneficiaries from Batoke and Mudeka villages, Fako Division, South West Region, Cameroon.
The training, which took place in Limbe, was designed to equip 70 participants, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), widows, and individuals facing economic hardship, with entrepreneurial skills, business management strategies, and financial literacy. These beneficiaries, many of whom have struggled with economic instability, were given the tools and knowledge needed to establish and sustain income-generating activities (IGAs) that can improve their standard of living.
Participants engage in IYEC and IOM’s Income
Generating Activities Training.
Equipping Beneficiaries with Essential Business Skills
The training focused on several key areas to help participants strengthen their businesses and increase their economic self-sufficiency:
✅ Entrepreneurship & Business Development – Introducing participants to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, helping them identify business opportunities, assess risks, and develop sustainable ventures.
✅ Business Plan Development – Teaching beneficiaries how to draft structured and feasible business plans to guide their growth and attract potential investors or partners.
✅ Marketing & Branding Strategies – Providing insights into effective ways to promote businesses, attract customers, and build strong brands, even with limited resources.
✅ Bookkeeping & Financial Literacy – Training participants on how to manage income, expenses, and savings to ensure long-term business sustainability.
A Hands-On Approach to Learning
The training was highly interactive, with beneficiaries engaging in practical exercises, group discussions, and real-life case studies. Business pitch sessions were a major highlight, where participants presented their business ideas and received constructive feedback from facilitators and fellow trainees. This session encouraged creativity and critical thinking, helping participants refine their entrepreneurial concepts.
Beneficiaries also collaborated on group projects, simulating real business environments where they could apply their newly acquired skills. Through role-playing activities, they explored customer relations, pricing strategies, and financial management techniques.
As this transformative training concluded, IYEC and IOM-UN Migration remained committed to monitoring and supporting the progress of the beneficiaries. Plans were put in place for follow-up mentorship, business coaching, and ongoing guidance to ensure that participants effectively applied their skills and grew their businesses.
This initiative marked a significant step toward economic empowerment, self-reliance, and community resilience in Batoke and Mudeka. By investing in people’s potential, we helped foster stronger, more sustainable communities that could drive local development and peacebuilding.Stay connected for more updates on this life-changing initiative.