Candelaria Delgado Unveils Youth Entrepreneurship Programs in Gran Canaria
Candelaria Delgado, the Canarian Government’s Minister for Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Childhood and Families, emphasised the need to empower young people with resources to cultivate their skills and shape their futures during the launch of two new entrepreneurship initiatives on 19 August.
The programmes, funded by the Directorate General for Youth, are named Punto Amigo and Emprende Games. Delgado explained that these initiatives operate at different stages: inspiring entrepreneurial ambitions in schools and then providing support to those ready to turn ideas into business ventures.
Daniel Morales, the Director General of Youth, highlighted the collaborative nature of the ‘Juventudcanaria’ initiative, which involves various groups, including businesses represented by AJE. He noted that last year, AJE Canarias provided personalised advice to around 100 young entrepreneurs through Punto Amigo, with 81 individuals seeking assistance as of August this year.
The Emprende Games project engaged 318 students across ten educational institutions last academic year, with plans to expand to 12 centres on five islands in the coming year.
Arianna Gassmann, AJE Tenerife’s representative, stressed the importance of not just fostering new enterprises but ensuring their sustainability. She stated that while 12.6% of Canarians aspire to start a business, only 5% succeed, and 80% of companies do not survive beyond five years. Gassmann concluded that translating entrepreneurial enthusiasm into successful ventures is crucial.
Néstor Santiago, president of AJE Las Palmas, praised the long-term success of the Punto Amigo initiative and the significance of Emprende Games, underlining the necessity of preparing young people for entrepreneurship and the potential it holds for fostering a more entrepreneurial spirit in Gran Canaria.
Punto Amigo 2026
Punto Amigo 2026 aims to strengthen the youth business landscape in the Canaries. It provides tailored support, crucial information on funding, digitalisation, and sustainability, along with regular meetings with specialists and training sessions.
Emprende Games 2026
Emprende Games 2026 employs gamification, an innovative approach for those over 16, to facilitate learning about entrepreneurship through interactive play and real-world simulations. This initiative aims to familiarise young people with the business world, covering key institutional players and the necessary steps to launch a company.
