**Forty-three Aspiring Entrepreneurs Complete Training Under START Programme in Skardu**
Forty-three young entrepreneurs in Skardu have successfully completed the START – Apna Karobar training programme, designed to cultivate entrepreneurship and self-reliance among youth in the region. The initiative is part of the GAC-supported BEST4WEER project, implemented by the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP).
At the closing ceremony, the Minister for Education of Gilgit-Baltistan, Mr. Ghulam Shahzad Aga, commended AKRSP for its significant contribution to nurturing youth entrepreneurship in Skardu. He highlighted the programme’s effectiveness in empowering local youth and fostering a culture of innovation and self-employment.
During the bootcamp, participants developed and presented innovative business ideas. Out of the 43 attendees, 25 were shortlisted for further Entrepreneurship Development Training after a rigorous pitching process. These selected entrepreneurs were also awarded microgrants to help turn their business concepts into reality.
The START Bootcamp was organized in collaboration with the Aga Khan Development Network, the Aga Khan Foundation, and the High Commission of Canada in Pakistan, with a focus on rural development and economic empowerment in Gilgit-Baltistan.
