Moncton, NB — Enterprise Greater Moncton’s annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge usually recognizes the work of students, but now it is the challenge itself being recognized.

In April, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) launched a new handbook called Shooting for the Moon: Good Practices in Local Youth Entrepreneurship Support, and singled out the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge as a global best practice. The handbook is intended for those overseeing youth entrepreneurship programs, and to encourage and guide young people on how to expand their ideas and create a business.

"The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge has come a long way since we started it five years ago," said John Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Greater Moncton (EGM). "To be recognized by the OECD as a global leader is really quite an honour, and once again demonstrates ways in which Enterprise Greater Moncton is leading the way in innovative economic development."

The OECD’s Local Economic and Employment Development Programme focuses on the importance of youth entrepreneurship in communities, and explains how partnerships of public and private agents can help local entrepreneurs develop business opportunities.

The Handbook contains several descriptions of entrepreneurship practices used by countries from around the world, such as Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, and Ukraine. There were three Canadian programs included in the publication, Enterprise Greater Moncton’s Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge and two programs from Quebec.

The Handbook highlights several aspects of this year’s challenge, including the new "Green" theme which has generated much positive feedback from the student participants.

"Part of the success of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is that it is constantly changing to keeps up with evolving interests of students," said Estelle Doiron, Youth Entrepreneurship Development Officer for Enterprise Greater Moncton. "The goal this year was to encourage the next generation of business owners to be environmentally friendly in their future endeavours. The finalists have submitted fantastic ideas and we are really excited that the students have taken time to think about how to reduce their carbon footprint in their business ideas."

The 2010 Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is supported by Co-op Atlantic, TD Canada Trust, the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, the New Brunswick Association of CBDCs, ACOA, the Government of New Brunswick, United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick, the Fédération des jeunes francophones du NouveauBrunswick, and Bell Aliant.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is being held at the Capitol Theatre on Wednesday, May 19. The event is open to the public and admission is free with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

-30-

Information:
Chad Peters,
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Office: (506) 858-9550, ext. 104