EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE

The rapid development of digital technology has created new opportunities for young people to participate in entrepreneurial activities and develop alternative sources of income. Digital platforms provide opportunities to promote products, reach wider markets, establish online businesses, and develop innovative products and services. However, many young people still face limitations in digital entrepreneurship skills, business planning, marketing strategies, and financial management. These limitations may hinder their ability to transform digital opportunities into sustainable economic activities. This community service program aimed to empower youth through digital entrepreneurship and financial literacy to strengthen their capacity for sustainable economic independence. The program employed a participatory entrepreneurship training and mentoring approach consisting of needs assessment, digital entrepreneurship education, business opportunity identification, business model development, digital marketing training, financial literacy education, hands-on business practice, mentoring, and evaluation. Participants were encouraged to develop business ideas, formulate simple business models, create digital promotional content, and practice basic financial management. Program effectiveness was evaluated through pre-test and post-test assessments, practical performance, business product assessment, observation, and participant reflection. The program demonstrated improvements in participants' understanding of digital entrepreneurship and financial management and increased their confidence in developing and promoting business ideas through digital platforms. The practical activities also encouraged participants to understand the importance of separating personal and business finances, recording transactions, calculating costs and profits, and planning business expenditures. The findings indicate that youth empowerment requires an integrated approach that combines entrepreneurial competence, digital skills, and financial literacy. Community-based entrepreneurship training and sustained mentoring can therefore support young people in utilizing digital opportunities more strategically and developing the competencies necessary for sustainable economic participation.

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