LocationsThe third SFI cohort will support young entrepreneurs through business training, mentoring and access to seed funding across four municipalities.
UNDP and IADE Launch 3rd Seed Funding Incubation (SFI) Program to Empower Timorese Youth Entrepreneurs
September 14, 2026
The third SFI cohort launch ceremony was attended by UNDP, KOICA, IADE and MCI representatives
UNDP Timor-Leste
Dili, 9 September 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Timor-Leste, through the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Skills (YEES) Project, in partnership with the Institute for Business Development Support (IADE), and with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Government of Timor Leste, launched the third Seed Funding Incubation (SFI) Programme to support young entrepreneurs in Timor-Leste.
The launch ceremony was held at the IADE Office in Mandarin, Dili, and attended by Ms. Brigida Soares, Representative of UNDP (Quality Assurance, RBM Analyst & UNDP Gender Focal Point); Mr. Taegun Kim, Deputy Country Director of KOICA; Mr. Filomeno Belo, Executive Director of IADE; Mr. Ezaquel da Costa Babo, Advisor of Minister Coordinator of the Department of Economic Affairs; distinguished guests and Media companies.
UNDP Timor-Leste
Through the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Skills (YEES) Project, UNDP supports young people in Timor-Leste to develop their entrepreneurial skills and build sustainable businesses. Building on the success of the first and second Seed Funding Incubation (SFI) cohorts, implemented in 2023 and 2024, which provided seed funding to 131 young entrepreneurs, with 93 businesses still actively operating, the third cohort will continue to support early-stage entrepreneurs in transforming innovative ideas into market-ready and sustainable businesses through business development training, mentorship and seed funding, contributing to local economic growth and job creation.
“The cooperation between UNDP and IADE through the YEES Project, with the strong support of KOICA and the MCAE, provides important opportunities for our young people to create self-employment and, at the same time, generate jobs for other young people. We sincerely appreciate the continued support of UNDP, KOICA, and the MCAE in empowering our youth and contributing to the development of Timor-Leste,” said Mr. Filomeno Belo, Executive Director of IADE.
“Our main goal is to empower the youth of Timor-Leste. We are not simply providing funds; we are investing in skills, knowledge, and the long-term growth of local businesses that will create jobs and strengthen our economy. Together with our partners, we are committed to building a strong and dynamic future for this nation,” said Ms. Brigida Soares, Representative of UNDP.
“For the Republic of Korea and KOICA, supporting youth entrepreneurship is ultimately an investment in people, in opportunity, and in the future of Timor-Leste. We believe that young people should not only be seen as job seekers. They can also be job creators, innovators, and leaders of Timor-Leste’s future economy,” said Mr. Taegun Kim, Deputy Country Director of KOICA.
“Our government is committed to supporting and transforming our economy—from consumption to production, and from imports to exports. To all participants of the 3rd Seed Funding Incubation program, I encourage you to think beyond your own business for yourself, but think about how your business can create jobs, use local resources, support communities, introduce innovation, reduce import and open opportunities for export,” said Mr. Ezaquel da Costa Babo, Advisor of Minister Coordinator of the Department of Economic Affairs (MCAE).
Application Eligibility:
The programme is open to Timorese youth aged 18–35 with innovative business ideas or existing micro-enterprises they plan to scale up to small size enterprise (refer to the criteria of enterprise type, according to size in the picture below).
Applications from young women, persons with disabilities and youth in rural and municipal areas are particularly encouraged. The programme fouses on three sectors, as follows:
Technology Innovation: Startups and ideas leveraging digital tools, e-commerce, digital services, clean technology, and tech-driven solutions to address local challenges and modernize traditional practices.
General Manufacturing: Innovative light manufacturing processes, local product development, value-addition to local raw materials, and creation of consumer goods that capitalize on regional strengths and reduce reliance on imports.
Accommodation and Food Services: Forward-thinking concepts in hospitality, eco-tourism, food processing, culinary arts, and sustainable food services that cater to both local populations and the growing tourist market.
The training will be provided at the IADE office in Dili, Baucau, Ermera and Liquiçá, to accommodate participants from Municipalities. If the applicant number is over the target number of participants, 380, the IADE and UNDP can select participants through document screening on the applicant’s business idea or business model as following criteria: Innovation, Economic Viability, Scale-up Potential, Sustainability, Compatibility, and Economic Impact. The detailed description is available at the application website below.
Public servants are not eligible to apply. This policy has been in place since the program’s inception, in strict accordance with Public Service regulations. Besides, the Prior Beneficiaries from the same and similar initiatives who have already received similar institutional assistance are also not eligible. This restriction strictly applies to those who have recently received support from the YEES program, other initiatives, or external partner institutions, including recipients of specific IADE innovation loans or comparable support.
Applications Now Open:
Applications for the third SFI Program are now open. Interested youth can access the application materials online via the social media platforms of IADE, UNDP and Knua Juventude Fila-Liman: https://forms.gle/oogc2PUuxDNyEuot9. The applicants must officially apply through online link above or submit offline physical formats to IADE office.
The application period will be between 9th and 23rd September, approximately for two weeks. In this period, the YEES project will organize the information session in the project target municipalities – Dili, Baucau, Ermera, and Liquica.
The SFI Programme reflects the broader commitment of UNDP, IADE and KOICA, together with the Government of Timor-Leste, to support young Timorese to become successful entrepreneurs, strengthen economic diversification, create employment opportunities and contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic economy.
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