Green Growth connects young entrepreneurs in Rwanda with financial opportunities
Where formal employment opportunities are limited, entrepreneurship gives young people another way to put their skills to work, generate income and build sustainable livelihoods.
For many young people, talent, determination and vocational skills are not enough to build a successful future. Access to affordable finance remains a significant barrier for young entrepreneurs. Without affordable capital, promising business ideas often remain just dreams.
To help change this reality, SOS Children's Villages Rwanda, through the Green Growth: Empowering Youth for a Green Future (Green Growth) project, is building bridges between young entrepreneurs and financial institutions, ensuring that the journey from learning a skill to building a thriving business does not end at graduation.
As part of this effort, consultative meetings were convened across the districts of Gisagara, Kayonza, Nyagatare, Gasabo and Bugesera. The meetings brought together 106 district leaders, managing directors, credit officers, and business analysts from district Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), member-owned financial cooperatives that provide savings and loans, to strengthen collaboration and create practical pathways for young people to access loans and other financial services.
The focus was clear: empower young people who have completed vocational and entrepreneurship training to access the funding they need to start, grow and sustain their businesses.
Opening the meeting in Nyagatare District, the Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Juliet Murekatete, praised SOS Children's Villages Rwanda for its continued commitment to supporting children and young people.
"SOS Children's Villages has demonstrated that investing in children and young people is investing in the future of our communities. Our responsibility, together with financial institutions, is to ensure these young people have access to the financial opportunities they need to succeed."
She highlighted that Nyagatare is home to a large population of young people, many of whom are eager to contribute to the country's development when they can access the right opportunities.
"Reducing youth unemployment and situations of vulnerability requires strong collaboration with specialized organizations such as SOS Children's Villages. Together, we can create lasting opportunities that transform lives."
The meetings also underscored the importance of partnerships in creating sustainable solutions for children and young people.
Sande Robert, Program Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Kayonza, emphasized that meaningful collaboration between local governments, financial institutions and development organizations is essential to improving children's wellbeing and supporting young people towards economic independence.
"We highly appreciate the commitment of district authorities to supporting children and young people. The next step is ensuring that financial institutions create pathways for young entrepreneurs to access affordable loans. This is how we can help them become self-reliant."
He noted that vocational training alone cannot unlock young people's potential if they are unable to secure the capital needed to launch their businesses.
Why your support matters
By combining skills development, internships and strong partnerships, the Green Growth project helps young people build real-world experience and access pathways to decent work in a greener, more inclusive economy.
Your support helps young people gain the skills and confidence they need to shape their futures and contribute to stronger communities. Every dollar you contribute is 3X matched, multiplying your impact and maximizing hope.
Green Growth is a five-year initiative launched in 2025 in partnership with the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.