Recover Guyana launches ENGAGE 2.0 in Regions 2 and 4 to empower youth in Green Entrepreneurship

Georgetown, Guyana - Recover Guyana has announced the launch of ENGAGE 2.0, the second phase of its youth empowerment initiative focused on environmental sustainability, green entrepreneurship and job readiness; which will see the distribution of GY$2 million in grant funding to support youth-led green enterprises in Regions 2 and 4. Delivered in partnership with Scotiabank Guyana, ENGAGE 2.0 builds on the success of its pilot programme and aims to equip young people with the skills, confidence and resources to create sustainable livelihoods while contributing to a greener, more resilient and prosperous national future.

Recover Guyana and Scotiabank Guyana officially launch ENGAGE 2.0, marking the next phase in empowering young entrepreneurs and promoting environmental sustainability in Guyana.

Launched in 2025, the pilot phase of ENGAGE successfully reached 100 vulnerable youth from Regions 3 and 6, achieving its initially set objectives. Participants gained practical skills in managing business related to eco-friendly practices such as hydroponics, composting, recycling and renewable energy through a structured programme combining green skills and financial training, entrepreneurship development, mentorship and job readiness support. The initiative awarded GY$2 million in grant funding to participants with innovative green ideas that were able to produce viable and sustainable business plans. All participants reported increased job readiness and confidence in financial and entrepreneurial decision-making, with many securing employment, internships or advancing in their careers within a year, demonstrating the programme’s impact on economic empowerment and environmental stewardship.

Building on this success, Recover Guyana will expand ENGAGE 2.0 to new communities in Regions 2 and 4, delivering hands-on training in managing businesses in eco-friendly technologies and sustainable agriculture, strengthening marketable skills in green sectors such as hydroponics, composting, recycling and vertical farming, introducing sustainable environmental practices, and fostering community engagement and peer-to-peer support.

Attendees gather at the ENGAGE 2.0 launch ceremony, showing the enthusiasm and support for youth empowerment and sustainable development

ENGAGE 2.0 will be delivered in three phases, starting in January 2026 and culminating with a completion ceremony in June 2026. The programme begins with a one-day refresher session for ENGAGE 1.0 participants, followed by a two-day training programme in Region 2 and a three-day extensive Green Business Workshop in Region 4, covering East Bank Demerara, Georgetown and the East Coast Demerara. Participants will receive instruction from professionals in green entrepreneurship, business development and financial literacy, complemented by a structured post-training mentorship programme.

Delivering opening remarks at the launch, Dr. Omesh Balmacoon, First Vice President of Recover Guyana, said, “ENGAGE 2.0 is a critical step in realising Recover Guyana’s vision of a sustainable, prosperous future led by empowered youth. Through practical skills development, mentorship, funding support and community engagement, we are creating measurable impact by equipping young people to turn innovative green ideas into thriving businesses that benefit both their communities and the nation as a whole.”

Nafeeza Gaffoor, Country Manager, Scotiabank Guyana, said: “We are proud to champion ENGAGE, a programme that transforms potential into progress. Through this initiative, young people gain real-world skills, launch businesses, enhance their employability, and build the confidence to manage their finances and plan for brighter futures. Our partnership with Recover Guyana goes far beyond funding. Scotiabank employees actively share practical financial knowledge, provide mentorship, and guide participants as they navigate the exciting journeys ahead.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau, Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim, welcomed the initiative, noting its importance for youth and the green economy. He said “Congratulations to Recover Guyana and Scotiabank Guyana. This project is a step in the right direction for businesses. Guyana’s future will not be shaped by policies alone, but by ideas formed in classrooms and workshops. It will be shaped by people who are ready to lead, innovate and act with purpose. This is why ENGAGE matters. It empowers young people to develop unique initiatives, new business ideas and innovative programmes that will help build a better Guyana.”

Nafeeza Gaffoor, Country Manager of Scotiabank Guyana, delivers remarks on the bank’s partnership with Recover Guyana to support youth empowerment and green entrepreneurship through ENGAGE 2.0.

With support from its partners, Recover Guyana remains committed to advancing environmental responsibility and economic opportunity for young people. ENGAGE 2.0, one of Recover Guyana’s many initiatives to empower youth in environmental advocacy, contributes to building a sustainable, innovative and prosperous future for the next generation.

Calvin Roberts, a participant of ENGAGE 1.0, shares his experience during the launch of ENGAGE 2.0, Recover Guyana’s youth empowerment initiative focused on environmental sustainability, green entrepreneurship and job readiness.