FOLLOWING the conclusion of the inaugural National Youth Convention held on Wednesday, the youth signed performance contracts for the year 2012-2013 as their roadmap towards fast-tracking national development.The contracts signed include establishment of an exemplary cooperative at each cell around the country and creation and submission of 3,000 projects to the financial institutions to be supported by Business Development Fund (BDF).Other commitments included supporting one young person to initiate a business at the village level (providing start-up/seed capital), fighting against drugs and laziness among the youth and encouraging them in terms of ownership of government programmes.According to Alphonse Nkuranga, the executive secretary in the National Youth Council, the performance contracts will increase the working conditions as each group has a designated role."We hope to deliver on the contracts at 100 per cent and we are optimistic. The youth were encouraged to join cooperatives that respond to the problems of the people,” said Nkuranga Contributing in Agaciro development fund was also the priority of the youth in the convention."Financial institutions partnering with BDF also still have low capacity to reach the youth at cell levels, we wish the capacity could be increased so that more youth can benefit from the funding,” he added Meanwhile the best performers were awarded for their potential businesses which are productive and employ a lot of people.Ange Habimana representing the cooperative Inshuti za Nyungwe (Bee-keeping cooperative) scooped the award worth Rwf3 million from the Commercial Bank of Rwanda (BCR).His cooperative employs over 50 permanent employees earning a monthly salary and over 600 casual labourers.The second and the third who both received 1.5 million are Ephraim Nganji, representing a vine cooperative from Rwamagana, and Diogène Dusengimihigo from Nyarugenge, whose project is ICT-oriented.The Minister of Public Service and Labour, Anastase Murekezi, appreciated the performance contracts signed by the youth and promised a sustainable support."The money to support your potential projects is available. We shall discuss with related sectors to see how to support your projects. We also plan to channel more funds through BDF to enable it support as many people as possible,” he said.The other officials including the minister of youth and ICT Jean Philbert Nsengiyumva, the minister commerce and trade Francois Kanimba also pledged support for the youth with innovation and creativity.