Entrepreneurship and social enterprise stream 2024 impact report
executive summary The Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise Stream 2024 was offered in partnership with H&M and focused on supporting and empowering Indigenous youth entrepreneurs in building, scaling, and enhancing their businesses. The Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise Stream 2024 distributed $45,000 in funding to 11 Indigenous youth-led businesses and social enterprises. Indigenous youth entrepreneurs funded through this stream focused on growing their businesses and social enterprises while also supporting their communities. As Indigenous entrepreneurs, grantees feel responsible for their communities, and they want their businesses and social enterprises to have a positive impact. As such, in addition to growing their entrepreneurial initiatives, grantees also used their funding to support youth and community wellness through product development, self-care and wellness services, community workshops, and by creating safe and inclusive community spaces. Facilitating workshops and engaging with youth and community members also supported youth in feeling more confident, both as leaders in their community and as youth entrepreneurs. Although grantees faced challenges with logistics and outreach, these opportunities to engage with community and increase their projects' reach helped grantees feel successful. In the end, while the Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise stream did support Indigenous youth in creating and enhancing their businesses and social enterprises, the impacts go beyond economic success. Grantees also reported that the growth of their businesses also contributed to youth empowerment, increased youth engagement, and strengthened connections to community.
Report Cover Photo:
Ulluriaq Girls Unit - Dawson Alternative High School
Quantitative Results
45% of grantees
Were in Eastern Canada
11 INDIGENOUS YOUTH-LED
Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise Stream
Businesses and Social Enterprises Received Funding
45% of Grantees
National / Multi-Provincial 9%
Identified as a Business
36% of Grantees Identified as a Social Enterprise 9%
9%
18%
9%
9% 36%
2024 Evaluation Reports Regional Representation of Groups
Ulluriaq Girls Unit - Dawson Alternative High School
Quantitative Results Stream Funding Amount by Budget Item Category Budget Item Category
Percentage
Project Supplies
43%
Contracts
20%
Communications
11%
Honoraria (Youth)
5%
Honoraria (All Others)
5%
Administration
4%
Technology
4%
Project Activities
3%
Salaries
3%
Travel
1%
Food
1%
*Percentages based on the 9 grantees that completed their final reports. 2 grantees did not complete this section.
Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise Stream 2024 Evaluation Reports
43% of funding used for Project Supplies, including materials for community workshops and for product development
11% of funding used for Communications to support promotion, branding, and social media advertising
10% of funding was used to provide youth and community members with Honoraria
activity session
Top 5 themes Session Theme
% of Grantee Groups*
% of All Sessions*
Content Creation
38%
24%
Relationship Building
38%
16%
Wellness
25%
16%
Leadership
13%
12%
Advocacy
13%
12%
*Percentages based on the 9 grantees that completed their final reports. 2 grantees did not complete this section.
43%
of grantees ran activities focused on Relationship Building
22%
of all sessions were for Content Creation
For inquiries about the entrepreneurship and social enterprise stream: Shawna Moore, Program Manager of Granting shawna@indigenousyouthroots.ca
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Remember that the process is just as important as the outcome. Take time to build trust, listen deeply, and care for your own well-being along the way. Collaboration rooted in respect and balance will always lead to more meaningful and lasting impact.
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—Advice from Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise 2024 Grantee
One piece of advice I’d share with other youth is to just start, even if things don’t go exactly as planned. There will always be changes or challenges, but your community will support you when you stay focused on your purpose. Be flexible, ask for help when you need it, and remember that your ideas are powerful and deserve space.
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—Advice from Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise 2024 Grantee