Driving job creation and green business through entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology in Tonga

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Nuku'alofa, 28th October 2021:  Tonga Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship Inc. (TYEE) hosted the first combined virtual and on-site Orientation Workshop for the selected local youth and women entrepreneurs with their enterprises to kick start the MAFOA 'A E ATA - Youth Innovation Challenge Program in Tonga. 

We are so inspired by the amazing applications we have received for the 2021 MAFOA 'A E ATA - Youth Innovation Challenge Program, the Tonga version of the GGGI Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator Program. 

"Mafoa 'A e Ata and green entrepreneurship is at the heart of sustainable growth and it’s great to see the passion and innovation of Tonga  entrepreneurs!  This is about being part of something bigger than yourself.  With eight teams in Tonga being selected with a total of fifteen team participants (13 from Tongatapu Island and 2 from Ha'apai Island) to kickstart the Mafoa 'A e Ata - Youth Innovation Program - we are stoked!",  said Ms Latu-Jones, Director TYEE.

The Mafoa ‘A e Ata – Innovation Challenge Program is proudly brought to you by Tonga Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship Inc. (TYEE) in collaboration with our Partners - Breadfruit Consulting Port Villa, Vanuatu, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)’s Pacific Green Entrepreneurship Network, and supported by Solutions Consulting House in Nuku’alofa.

What is Mafoa 'A e Ata?

Amidst this global COVID-19 pandemic, TYEE together with collaborative partners Breadfruit Consulting, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and Solutions Consulting House (SCH) believe that innovation is needed now more than ever!

The goal of the Mafoa ‘a e Ata – Youth Innovation Challenge program is to create,  support and facilitate innovative businesses that are sustainable and resilient in the Kingdom of Tonga.

The theme for the Program is ‘Innovating for the Unexpected: Resilience and Sustainability  in the face of Uncertainty’.

Mafoa ‘a e Ata is a pilot program dedicated to encouraging aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to learn about innovation, be equipped with meaningful tools to be an innovative entrepreneur and create innovative solutions as and in response to the uncertainty associated with Covid-19 and potential disasters and crises.


Why?

As a nation, we are striving for economic growth to improve citizens’ lives, create jobs and provide critical access to services like education, employment and entrepreneurship. We are also seeking ways to maximize and benefit from advances in green and technology.

One emerging area that these aims - promoting economic growth and harnessing innovation and green technology - bridge together in a very compelling way is the area of Entrepreneurship.

Tonga Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship Inc. (TYEE) is a non-government organization established in 2014 which provides youth services aimed at helping young school leavers aged 18 to 35 to gain meaningful employment or become successful entrepreneurs through skills development and mentorship support. 

In particular TYEE seeks to promote green entrepreneurship and innovation as a viable career path for aspiring young entrepreneurs.

We exist to foster a culture of youth innovative skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, and mentorship support programs as a crucial part of our TYEE culture.

The opportunities are limitless.

The richness of our land and sea, our geographic location, the social challenges that we face (that give us opportunities for enlightened economies), the huge energy-ball of our young people and workforce, as well as technological advancements , all foster a breeding ground for opportunities to underpin innovation, green entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment.

The Mafoa 'A e Ata Program will be rolling out in Tonga by TYEE for the first time as a 3-Phase Program to start on the Tuesday, 2nd November 2021. With only a few days before COB 26 there are many business leaders and entrepreneurs making a difference everyday already! 

TYEE is truly grateful to our collaborative Partners and Support Team; @Breadfruit Consulting, @GGGI Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network, and @Solutions Consulting House (SCH), and our Team of Staff.
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For more information about the Program:
It is with great privilege and pleasure to have been chosen as a local consultant for Global Green Growth Institute.
Lusia Latu-Jones, Tonga Green Entrepreneurs Consultant.
Email: lusia.latu@tyeetonga.org