27 Young Entrepreneurs Sign Historic MCT–YECSI Tourism Grants

A new chapter is unfolding for young business owners in Solomon Islands, as 27 local entrepreneurs officially signed their agreements to receive funding under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) and the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) Grants Program.

The signing marked the first cohort of recipients under the initiative, with a second group of 17 entrepreneurs expected to follow on Thursday, April 23.

For many in the room, the moment was more than just a formal process, it was the realisation of a long-awaited opportunity.

“I believe many people have been trying their best, through different governments, to access funding to support their businesses,” Director for Tourism Division, Gregory Autaá, said during the signing event. “But as you can see now, we are very fortunate to be the recipients.”

The grants, described as small but impactful, are part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen small businesses, improve services, and create economic opportunities across the Solomon Islands.

While modest in size, officials emphasised that the real value lies in how recipients use the funding to grow their enterprises.

“This initiative is about building confidence, confidence in your businesses, and confidence in the government to continue supporting you,” Director Gregory said. “What matters most is how successfully you implement your projects.”

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism also made it clear that accountability will play a key role moving forward.

With a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system in place, recipients are expected to maintain proper financial records and document their progress, challenges, and outcomes.

“These reports will not only measure success but also shape future programs,” the Director added.

For YECSI, the milestone reflects years of advocacy and collaboration.

Chairperson for YECSI, Limahl Totongi, described the funding as a historic achievement, revealing that YECSI received a total of SBD3 million from the government, an unprecedented level of support for the organisation.

Out of this amount, SBD2.1 million has been allocated directly for funding.

Already, SBD200,000 has supported four graduates from the Solomon Islands National University through the Launchpad Program, each receiving SBD40,000 to kickstart tourism-related businesses.

The remaining SBD1.9 million is now being distributed among the 27 recipients in the first batch.

Additional funds have been used to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Around SBD300,000 supported training programs in tourism, hospitality, customer service, and food handling, while another SBD300,000 ensured the organisation’s operations could continue effectively.

Feasibility studies worth SBD150,000 are also underway in Malaita and Guadalcanal to explore new opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

“In total, about SBD2.4 million is directly impacting members,” Totongi said. “This may seem small at first, but it can make a big difference in helping businesses grow.”

Despite challenges, including accommodation issues and the lingering impacts of a recent cyclone, the Chairperson noted that the funding has arrived at the right time.

“We are like one family, creating opportunities together,” Totongi said. “Now that you are part of us, we want to see you more often and work together as partners.”

Vice Chairperson for YECSI, Mrs Esther Yates Pollard, also expressed her gratitude to the government and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for placing their trust in the organisation and its members.

Vice Chairperson for YECSI, Mrs Esther Yates Pollard.

“A big thank you to the Government, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, for making this funding available,” Mrs Esther said. “This shows confidence in us as an organisation that supports young entrepreneurs.”

Behind the scenes, the journey to this moment required persistence. From coordination efforts to early groundwork laid by previous board members, the process has been a collective effort.

“We acknowledge everyone who contributed, from the Secretariat team to the previous Board, who helped shape this outcome,” she added.

For the recipients, the support represents both relief and responsibility.

Speaking on behalf of the group, recipient representative John Kanai Taámora, and representative of the Waúraha Areare panpipe group, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the government, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and YECSI for making the funding accessible.

“Building a successful business requires experience, and YECSI plays an important role in developing that,” he said. “We are confident that everyone here will use this funding for its intended purpose.”

He also reaffirmed the group’s commitment to accountability and growth.

“We will ensure that the funds are used for what we applied for,” John added. “We look forward to continuing this partnership so that together we can contribute to the growth of the private sector.”

The grant initiative, introduced through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in partnership with YECSI, is part of a broader effort to strengthen the tourism sector by empowering local entrepreneurs.

By supporting small businesses, particularly those linked to hospitality, services, and visitor experiences, the program aims to build a stronger, locally driven tourism industry.