CESO: Mentoring Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurs

Mentoring Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurs
CESO and Cando Launch Mentorship Program to Support Indigenous Youth Leaders

The Indigenous population in Canada is young and growing, and Indigenous youth are emerging as entrepreneurs and leaders in their communities at an increasingly rapid rate. Given this growing trend of Indigenous youth leadership, mentorship is a vital element in ensuring the ongoing success of their entrepreneurial ventures. Mentorship supports the development of the capacity, skill and knowledge of up-and-coming leaders, helps to empower entrepreneurs in building strong businesses, and aids in the strengthening of social initiatives and movements.

In support of Indigenous youth mentorship, CESO (Canadian Executive Service Organization) has announced a new tri-partnership between Cando, CESO, and two of CESO’s committed supporters, Bryan Blenkin and Alan Rowe. With the generous funding from Mr. Blenkin and Mr. Rowe, CESO will extend a year-long intensive mentorship program to candidates selected for Cando’s National Youth Panel 2016. During the program’s pilot year, CESO will support capacity development in young entrepreneurs and leaders through mentorship, and by extension, opportunities to strengthen economic and social growth among the respective Indigenous communities of the selected candidates.

The CESO-Cando-Blenkin & Rowe pilot program will provide critical support for the trajectory of success for Indigenous youth entrepreneurship, leadership and activism. The pilot program is expected to expand in subsequent years, and will include corporate sponsorship.

CESO is a leading economic development organization dedicated to fostering economic growth around the world and with Indigenous communities across Canada. Since 1967, CESO

volunteers have completed more than 50,000 assignments across Canada and in more than 120 countries around the world. CESO Volunteer Advisors support Indigenous communities in Canada, focusing on strengthening the skills and experience of its leaders to reach their economic objectives and to support the creation of long term, sustainable socio-economic change.

To find out more about CESO, visit:​​www.ceso-saco.com​. If you are interested in learning more about sponsoring the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship in future years, please contact jlambert@ceso-saco.com​.