YES Leader: Ms. Berkis Dania Polanco
Email : berkisdania@yahoo.com ; berkis@yesweb.org

Vision : To promote employment through youth social entrepreneurship

Background : According to ILO, 30% of young people in Dominican Republic are unemployed, while the overall rate of unemployment in the country is about 15.6%. Dominican Republic is considered as one of the Central American countries with a highest rate of unemployment. The reasons attributed to this are: high number of school dropouts, lack of technical skills, and lack of work experience,

About the Network : YES Dominican Republic was launch ed in 2004. Currently it is in a transition phase with regard to the host agency, and the activity continue with the support of the YES members and partners such the Secretary of State of the Youth (SEJ), and Professionals of the Republic Of the Dominican Republic Foundation (FUNDAPRO). SEJ hosted the contest organized by YES Dominican Republic for young entrepreneurs and FUNDRAPO gives support with volunteers and transport, among others.

Current Major Initiatives :

• YES Dominican Republic is working on events such as summits and seminars, and providing support to other institutions, offering lectures on topics of employability and entrepreneurship in general. Training Program has been held for the youth by YES Dominican Republic and La Set. and activities planned with ITLA (The technological Institute of the America) for global crises
• YES Dominican Republic is having meetings with major partners with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Labor to discuss the formation of a committee that will take up diverse initiatives
• YES Dominican Republic is working on advocating policies and for creating a special fund on youth employment.
• Regarding the planning for the 5th Global Youth Employment Summit – Rework the World process YES Dominican Republic is presenting proposals to the government to stimulate programs that contribute to the support of young entrepreneurs in green enterprises

Key Accomplishments :

• YES Dominican Republic held the International Seminary of Social Youth Entrepreneurship where YES representatives from Panama, Mexico and Peru important key leaders of the entrepreneur sector of Dominican Republic and other countries in Latin America (OEA, UN, etc.) discussed the youth issues and entrepreneurship. Young entrepreneurs with sucessful iniatitives were invited to share their projects and learn about YES Campaign.