ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — For the second consecutive year, the Sandals Foundation and Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Youth Affairs have wrapped up a collaborative initiative designed to uplift the nation’s next generation of business leaders: the Entrepreneurship Edge Programme. This year’s six-week intensive training cycle closed with 58 aspiring and established young entrepreneurs crossing the finish line, marking a notable jump in participation from earlier iterations of the project.
Rooted in a shared mission to drive youth empowerment and inclusive economic growth, the partnership has poured EC$38,000 in funding from the Sandals Foundation into designing and delivering a curriculum tailored to address the real-world needs of early-stage entrepreneurs. Over the course of the program, participants engaged in targeted training sessions covering a forward-thinking mix of topics, from creativity and artificial intelligence integration for small businesses to core fundamentals including financial management, ethical leadership, project management, business plan development, and public speaking and pitching.
The program culminated in a public Entrepreneurship Expo held on International Youth Day, which offered graduates a rare opportunity to translate their classroom learning into tangible market experience. The showcase brought together young entrepreneurs from a wide cross-section of sectors, ranging from custom apparel printing and after-school tutoring services to refrigeration repair and other local small businesses. Attendees and potential customers explored the diverse range of products and services on offer, giving founders space to promote their ventures, connect with new clients, build professional networks, and gain hands-on experience presenting their businesses to the public.
Dr. Jrucilla Samuel, Director of the Department of Youth Affairs, emphasized that the program’s growing popularity and 100% completion rate speak to both rising youth interest in entrepreneurship and the value of the training itself. “At a time when youth unemployment remains a persistent concern across our region, we have to prioritize creating pathways for young people to become job creators, not just job seekers,” Samuel explained. “Entrepreneurship is a core part of the solution. By equipping our young people with practical business skills, mentorship, and a supportive community, we reduce the pressure on the public sector to absorb our growing young workforce.” She also extended gratitude to the program’s network of volunteer facilitators, seasoned entrepreneur mentors, and the Sandals Foundation for their sustained investment in the initiative.
David Latchimy, General Manager of Sandals Grande Antigua, noted that the foundation’s ongoing commitment to the Entrepreneurship Edge Programme stems from a core belief that youth empowerment is the foundation of long-term national development. “When we invest in young entrepreneurs, we are not just investing in individual businesses — we are investing in people who have the potential to create ripple effects of opportunity across our entire country,” Latchimy said. “Young people today bring the creativity to see opportunity where others see challenges, the resilience to navigate setbacks, and the courage to turn an idea into tangible action. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are driving economic change right now.”
As part of the closing ceremony, top performing participants Phebe Salmon, Honora Thomas, and Avanti Gardner received special recognition in the form of complimentary evening passes for two at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa. Dr. Samuel was also honored with the same award for her outstanding leadership and coordination of the 2026 program.
This partnership forms part of the Sandals Foundation’s broader regional mandate to strengthen Caribbean communities through access to education, skills training, leadership development, and economic empowerment. The foundation frames support for young entrepreneurship as more than an individual benefit: it is a catalyst for more connected, prosperous communities, higher rates of economic participation, broad-based job creation, and a more resilient national economy for Antigua and Barbuda.
For the 58 graduates of the 2026 cohort, the program’s conclusion marks not an end, but a new beginning. Beyond their completion certificates, participants leave with actionable business knowledge, expanded professional networks, increased confidence, and the practical tools needed to grow their ideas into sustainable, long-term ventures.