THATTA: The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), under the European Union-funded Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) Programme, has launched a four-day Bootstrap Camp for young entrepreneurs in Thatta.
The camp brings together 20 youth from Thatta and Sujawal who received technical training through the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Resource Research and Development Board (BBSHRRDB). The programme aims to help participants turn technical skills and business ideas into viable and market-ready ventures.
Through practical exercises, mentoring and business planning sessions, participants will develop skills in customer identification, market validation, costing and pricing, financial management, sales, digital marketing and business planning.
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Speaking at the opening session, UNIDO National Technical Advisor Farooque Siddiqui highlighted entrepreneurship as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods and local economic development. He encouraged participants to build on their technical expertise and consider self-employment as an opportunity to generate income, create jobs and contribute to their communities.
BBSHRRDB Deputy Director Muhammad Ali urged participants to make full use of the programme to strengthen their understanding of entrepreneurship, markets and business management. He stressed the importance of combining technical expertise with effective business planning to support long-term growth.
During the four-day camp, participants will work on validating business ideas, assessing market opportunities and preparing practical plans aimed at securing their first customers.
The most promising business plans will be considered for support through PAIDAR’s micro-grant window. Selected entrepreneurs may receive grants of up to EUR 10,000 to help turn their business plans into operational ventures.
Following the Thatta camp, similar Bootstrap Camps will be organised in Badin, Tharparkar and Larkana. The programme is expected to provide approximately 100 young men and women across PAIDAR’s target districts with training, mentorship and business development support.
The initiative forms part of PAIDAR’s broader efforts to promote entrepreneurship, income generation and sustainable livelihoods among rural youth in Sindh.
By combining technical training with entrepreneurial and business management skills, the programme seeks to help young people explore self-employment opportunities and contribute to inclusive local economic development across the province.
