The Fijian Government is set to increase funding for its flagship Graduate Business Start-Up Grant Scheme in the upcoming 2025–26 national budget, reaffirming its commitment to fostering youth entrepreneurship and addressing unemployment among graduates. The initiative, which began several years ago, has already supported more than 3,000 young Fijians in launching small businesses across diverse sectors.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad announced the increased allocation while speaking at a business event in Suva in May. He said the scheme had shown promising results, particularly in encouraging innovation and self-reliance among tertiary graduates. “We are proud to support a generation of young entrepreneurs who are not just seeking jobs but creating them,” Prasad said.
The scheme provides eligible graduates with seed capital—typically FJD $10,000—to start a small business, along with access to business training and mentoring. Applicants undergo a selection process and must present a feasible business plan to qualify.
What is particularly noteworthy is the gender distribution: over 70 percent of recipients so far have been women. Many have gone on to establish successful ventures in retail, food services, fashion, and agri-business, with several expanding to employ additional staff or open multiple locations.
One such recipient, Salote Tavaga, who runs a home-based baked goods business in Lautoka, said the grant allowed her to purchase professional equipment and build a loyal customer base. “This scheme changed my life,” she said. “I now supply three supermarkets and have hired two assistants.”
Prasad noted that the revised scheme would not only increase the amount of capital available but also introduce digital tools and market linkage services to help graduates scale their ventures. The government is also working with local financial institutions to improve access to working capital and business advisory support.
As youth unemployment remains a critical challenge, the expanded scheme is seen as a strategic move to build a resilient, inclusive economy driven by grassroots enterprise.
