Erinaldi Erinaldi; Lilis Wahyuni; Alfatiha Alfatiha; Subari Subari
Youth unemployment remains a strategic issue in social and economic development, particularly at the community level. Limited formal employment opportunities, low entrepreneurial skills, and restricted access to information and capital have constrained youth economic independence. This community service program aims to accelerate employment growth through youth entrepreneurship development based on a business incubator approach in RT 013, Lubuk Gaung Sub-district, Sungai Sembilan District, Dumai City. The program employed a community organizing approach through participatory counseling, interactive discussions, and initial business mentoring. The results indicate a significant improvement in youths’ knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurial attitudes, particularly in business planning and micro-enterprise management. Furthermore, a shift in orientation from job seekers to job creators was observed, along with the emergence of collective business initiatives and increased awareness of entrepreneurship as a means of job creation. This program contributes to accelerating employment growth and strengthening youth-based local economic development