**Forty-Three Young Entrepreneurs Trained in Skardu Through START – Apna Karobar Programme**
Forty-three aspiring entrepreneurs from Skardu have successfully completed intensive training under the START – Apna Karobar Programme, an initiative aimed at boosting youth entrepreneurship and fostering self-reliance in the region. The programme concluded with a ceremony attended by Gilgit-Baltistan’s Minister for Education, Mr. Ghulam Shahzad Aga, who commended the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) for its dedicated efforts in cultivating entrepreneurial skills among local youth.
The training was held as part of the Global Affairs Canada (GAC)-supported BEST4WEER project. Participants engaged in a bootcamp, where they developed and pitched innovative business ideas. Out of the initial 43 trainees, 25 individuals were selected through a competitive process to proceed to Entrepreneurship Development Training, further refining their business concepts.
At the event, the shortlisted entrepreneurs showcased their projects before an expert panel. Selected candidates were awarded microgrants to help turn their business ideas into reality, giving them a crucial head start in launching their ventures.
The programme is a collaboration between the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), and is supported by the High Commission of Canada in Pakistan. The initiative represents a significant step toward empowering youth in rural communities, encouraging economic growth, and nurturing a sustainable culture of enterprise in Skardu.
