Renk County Commissioner Diing Deng Lueth hands over a business loan to a young entrepreneur on Friday, April 3, 2026. The funding is part of a joint initiative between the local government and the UNDP to support 300 youth in establishing small business projects. 📸 Commissioner Office

Authorities in Renk County, Upper Nile State, have provided financial assistance to 300 young men and women to start small business projects.

The initiative is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The funding is issued as loans, ranging from 20 million to 40 million South Sudanese pounds per beneficiary.

The program aims to support productive activities and improve livelihoods for more than 1,500 young people in the area. While 300 individuals received support in this phase, more funding is expected in the coming months.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Renk County Commissioner Diing Deng Lueth urged the youth to use the funds for hard work and innovation.

“The project is a government initiative supported by UNDP to address youth unemployment and encourage entrepreneurship,” Commissioner Lueth said. “The concept is to provide capital to enter the market. They then repay the loan through profits.”

The project launched last year with an initial group of 156 participants. After that group successfully repaid their loans, the program expanded to 650 participants.

A government committee monitors the projects and evaluates the costs. Funding is allocated based on the size of the project proposal, with some larger projects receiving up to 50 million pounds.

Most participants are involved in trade, agriculture, and retail businesses. Commissioner Lueth noted that many of the beneficiaries are breadwinners for their families.

“The 300 individuals we funded contribute to the economic and social stability of their families,” the Commissioner added. “My message to the youth is that the government stands with you. We urge young people to engage in the workforce.”

The committee continues to oversee the projects to ensure the funds are used effectively to stimulate local economic growth.