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All the Rotary Clubs of Bahrain came together to highlight budding Bahraini entrepreneurs and offer them tips and tricks to take their enterprises to the next level in an inspiring month-long training and community involvement programme.
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) were organised by the Rotary Clubs of Manama, Salmaniya, Seef Bahrain, Rotaract Clubs of Bahrain and Muharraq, and Interact Club of Britus, with the support of the Capital Governorate.
“Investing in our youth is investing in the future of Bahrain,” Capital Governorate information and follow-up director Yusuf Lori explained.
“We are proud to support RYLA, a programme that empowers young leaders to become active citizens and tackle real-world challenges. Their enthusiasm and talent inspire us all, and we look forward to witnessing their contributions in the years to come, alongside our valued partners.”
More than 50 young leaders participated in the programme, which focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 8 - promoting decent work and economic growth.
As part of the programme, 26 entrepreneurs and students, aged 14 to 18, took part in workshops, which taught them about the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, marketing, sales and financial risk-management.
They also got to learn from the experiences of a local insurance firm’s chief executive Ebrahim Fathalla, professional development speaker Osama Jabri and business leader Hanan Al Nashmi.
This year, RYLA focused on local entrepreneurs, whereas last year, the focus was on young professionals stepping into the corporate world.
“We are grateful for the unwavering support of our partners,” RYLA 2024 chair Mohamed Al Haddad added.
“Their support and commitment empowered these young minds to not only grow as leaders but also make meaningful contributions to our communities.
“We are confident they will continue to create positive change with their dedication and innovative ideas.”
On February 2, Bahraini businesses were highlighted during a bazaar at Galleria mall in Zinj, during which six home-based enterprises showcased their products and services, which included handicrafts, perfumes, embroidery, design and tailoring of women’s clothing, shawls, abayas, accessories and jewellery.
Participants in the programme also joined Rotary and Rotaract members in community service projects, learning about addressing critical issues like environmental sustainability, education access, healthcare improvement, and social welfare.
The month of activities concluded last Saturday with a final award ceremony at the University of Technology Bahrain, where participants were given certificates and recognised for their community contributions.
“RYLA 2024 leaves behind a legacy of empowered youth and impactful projects,” the organisers added, in a statement.
“It serves as an inspiration for continued investment in youth leadership development, ensuring young people have the necessary skills and resources to tackle future challenges and build a brighter future for Bahrain.”
