Entrepreneurship for Employment: Institutional Pathways and Policy Lessons from Bangladesh's Youth Programs

This study examines youth entrepreneurship as a strategic mechanism for addressing employment challenges in Bangladesh. By comparing the Directorate of Youth Development (DYD) and the Nobin Equity Program (NEP), this evaluation assesses how public and social sector models facilitate entrepreneurial engagement among youth. Using a qualitative content analysis of policy reports, program evaluations, and scholarly literature, the study explores five key themes: financing mechanisms, training models, gender and geographic inclusion, institutional frameworks, and entrepreneurial motivation. The findings suggest that integrated, inclusive, and adaptive approaches—combining public infrastructure with social business innovation—offer the most promise in transforming youth entrepreneurship into a sustainable tool for national development.