Nearly 90% of youth live in developing countries and the challenges they face are low quality education, lack of marketable skills, high rates of unemployment, crime, HIV/AIDS infection, early pregnancy and social exclusion. However, young people have become or becoming, leaders in their communities and youth bring big ideas for change, frank assessments of problems and a willingness to work harder in order to get results. They want to improve the states of their community, not just to serve it but also be individual entities of change.

The “Sheki Youth Business Initiative”, initiated by Uluchay, financially supported by Eurasia Partnership Foundation, USAID and StatoilHydro, is a project aimed at Sheki youth and striving to combat these overgrowing problems. It was an eight month project, starting on October 15^th, 2007 until June of 2008. The context and goal of Youth Business Initiative was to educate young people the basic of business planning, developing and managing the business and basics of accounting, marketing, to provide training and technical assistance, as well as to support and give a chance for realization the best, unique and innovative business ideas and plans delivered by youth.

Within the project different trainings and seminars (“Leadership”, “Team Building”, “Accounting”, “Marketing”, “Sales”, “Business - plan writing” etc.) were provided by local experts and trainers to nearly 30 youth residing and studying in Sheki on business management and development, marketing and drawing up business plans, the key points for starting successful business, the essentials of accounting, business announcements and a competition of financing business ideas was announced. 6 business plans were presented to Uluchay organization by youth. But 3 business plans were selected by Uluchay, Eurasia Partnership Foundation, TASIC, “AzerDemiryol Bank “ , Association of Entrepreneurs, Department of Youth & Sports ox Executive Committee and Sheki Youth Foundation.

? Design Studio – the main aim developing of internet Technologies in Sheki district with creating of websites, providing different polygraph services. The budget of the business plan was $ 2115.

? Second Hand – the purpose of the project is to create the shop for poor people of Sheki with cheap price and good quality clothes. The budget was $ 1670.

? “Mehriban” Girls Caf? – the main aim was to create the place where girls can drink tea, coffee and rest. The budget was $ 1286.

The program strives to not only promote youth entrepreneurship, but also to further invigorate tourism in Sheki. As many people know Sheki is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Azerbaijan and it’s necessary to promote this aspect of the economy in the city. Additional information about the project you can be found on official website – http://uluchay.org