UNCDF and ygap's Incubate Better programme gave the Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (founded 2017) two grants (US$7,000 then US$8,000) and six months of coaching to strengthen its own incubation capacity, despite real staff-turnover setbacks.
7,000 USD
First grant tranche
8,000 USD
Second grant tranche (early 2024)
6 months
Coaching duration
Details
Maturity
Pilot
Promoter
Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI) / UNCDF / ygap
Period
2022–2024
Keywords
youth entrepreneurship, incubator capacity-building, Pacific development
Context
Young Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI), founded 2017, was one of three Pacific incubators selected for Phase 2 of UNCDF/ygap's Incubate Better capacity-building programme in 2022-2023.
Activities
YECSI received a first grant tranche of US$7,000 for board and secretariat training, six months of coaching, and a second tranche of US$8,000 in early 2024 using tools like the Vision Traction Template and SCALE assessment.
Results
Reported outcomes are organisational rather than economic: clearer roles, a defined focus on aspiring entrepreneurs, and three strategic pillars for the organisation.
Conclusions
Staff turnover during coaching forced UNCDF and ygap to adjust support to onboard new leadership; this is capacity-building for an incubator, not yet evidence that it is producing more or better-supported founders.
Implementation
Indicative cost
Low (< €50k)
Time to results
Short (< 1 year)
Staffing & skills
UNCDF and ygap coaching team, YECSI board and secretariat
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