1. Source of funding

Bhutan Foundation
Just Giving
Global Fund for Children
Helvetas, Bhutan
Youth Business International, UK
Amis du Bhoutan

     2. Mission and Objectives

The aim of LEP is to train and support young Bhutanese in entrepreneurial ventures. The programme aspires to help them realize their dreams by providing them training, moral and technical support, and initial funds to start new entrepreneurial ventures.

     1. Cultivate entrepreneurial skills,
     2. Create employment,
     3. Promote a self-sufficient economy, and
     4. Promote social volunteerism by involving successful entrepreneurs as volunteers.

     3. Areas of work relating to youth employment

Skills and employability
Enterprise development

     4. Partners and areas of partnerships

Bhutan Foundation
Just Giving
Global Fund for Children
Helvetas, Bhutan
Youth Business International, UK
Amis du Bhoutan

     5. Potential or existing partnership with the ILO

     6.  Successful youth employment interventions

     1. LEP Training Programme: The training is offered by business lecturers, local and international entrepreneurs. The courses cover entrepreneurial thinking, ethics and skills, , financial analysis, operations and management, marketing techniques, drafting of business plans, etc.

     2. LEP Capital Fund Competition: The LEP training programme is followed by the competition for funds. Announcements for competition are made in May and candidates are asked to submit a business proposal by the end of August every year. The LEP Jury will then assess the proposal at two different stages and call the shortlisted candidates for an interview in October. The successful candidates are awarded interest free loans ranging from Nu 100,000 to Nu 10,00,000. No collateral is required but candidates who receive the loans are required to sign a contract.

     3. LEP Mentorship and Supervision Scheme: Two mentors are appointed for each project. One is an international entrepreneur and the other is a local entrepreneur or expert .Beside regular supervision through the LEP administrator, the mentors advise and guide the entrepreneur through the process of setting up a business and give professional and emotional support.

     4. Loden Knowledge Base: The Loden Knowledge Base, located in the centre of Thimphu alongside our office, provides free walk-in library and internet services for educational purposes. The Knowledge Base has currently a significant collection of literature on entrepreneurship and development. This resource is intended to help young people who participate in our entrepreneurship training programme and competition as well as the general public interested in these fields