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The Young Entrepreneurship Scheme is struggling to keep pace with skyrocketing demand from youth innovators.

Minister for Trade and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica said the program received 27 applications worth $706,913 in 2023-2024, but only five were funded with $136,957.

Between last year and this year, demand surged to 75 applications totaling $3.7 million, yet just six received $149,461.

Kamikamica said the scheme was designed to turn young Fijians into job creators, not job seekers, by supporting unique and innovative business ideas.

Minister for Trade and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica.

Each application undergoes rigorous screening, pitching, and evaluation to ensure funding is awarded only to viable, bankable projects.

Success stories include TicketMax, an online ticketing service powering major events, and Sweetsip, a dessert business that expanded into a permanent shop and rolled out ice cream offerings.

He warned that most declined applications were rejected for being incomplete, commercially unviable, duplicating existing businesses, or exceeding funding limits.

Applicants not meeting eligibility criteria or demonstrating limited economic impact were also turned down.
The Ministry continues to guide unsuccessful applicants and encourages them to refine proposals for alternative MSME support.

Kamikamica states that the increase in the number of applications points out the urgent need for greater government investment.

He said the program’s current funding was insufficient to match the youth’s ambition and potential economic impact.

This written response was given following a parliamentary question from Ratu Isikeli Tuiwailevu, who sought detailed data on applications, approvals, and reasons for rejection under the YES Programme for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.

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