Participants People from rural, remote, and northern communities; Indigenous Peoples

Northern entrepreneur development network

This project creates a network of support in the Yukon to improve access to tools and training to help people build resilient businesses that are innovative, agile and forward thinking in the face of the new economic reality.

This initiative supports the Continuing Studies division at Yukon University and its partner organization, Yukonstruct, to improve access to tools and training to help people build resilient businesses that are innovative, agile and forward thinking in the face of the new economic reality. The university has a deeply rooted interest in seeing the North prosper and in helping Yukoners make transitions to build stronger, more adaptable enterprises. The university has been recognized as a leader in education that bridges Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing with Western schools of thought for all citizens.

Yukonstruct has been serving the Yukon since 2014, providing mentorship, training, and the equipment and space needed for a thriving community of makers and entrepreneurs to share and grow their skills. Expanding our services to the broader Yukon communities will continue to empower the north to grow and reach its potential.

Future Skills Centre is investing $520,090 in this 2-year project, which strives to expand existing programs to Yukon’s rural communities in an accessible, culturally relevant way. The success of these programs across the northern ecosystem relies on a strong network of mentors, coaches, and peer supports with varied skills, expertise and cultural backgrounds. Individuals in the network will be positioned to effectively and holistically surround rural entrepreneurs with the backing they need to create thriving self-employment and grow businesses in an age when interconnection and community are more important than ever.

Evaluation Strategy

This project is evaluated using tools and approaches aligned with its goals, context, and stage of development. The evaluation focuses on generating the right evidence at the right moment to move the intervention forward. Read more about our evaluation strategy.