Final Reminder: Apply Now for the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme – Deadline November 29, 2024
OECS Media Release
The deadline for applications for the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme is fast approaching on November 29, 2024, at 11:59 PM. The Commission of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) urges all Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Tourism, Fisheries, and Waste Management sectors to take advantage.
Grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000 USD to support business growth, innovation, and job creation. This initiative is part of the World Bank-funded Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Eastern Caribbean (UBEC) Project.
The Senior Grants Advisor of the UBEC Project, Kyle Garnes, stressed the importance of the Programme to the region’s MSME development efforts. He said,
“We want to unleash the blue economy within the region but this can only be achieved through providing the right assistance to MSMEs, enabling them to unlock their potential for growth. We want the presence of this programme to contribute to increased employment, increased productivity and greater innovation across the region.”
The Matching Grants Programme provides crucial funding to help MSMEs. This funding will serve to:
- Expand their operations and increase productivity.
- Facilitate the adoption of innovative technologies and sustainable practices
- Strengthen their roles in the region’s growing blue economy.
For an MSME to qualify for funding under the Programme, it must meet the following eligibility criteria
- Must be legally registered in either Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines or Grenada.
- Must provide articles of incorporation, business name registration or any other documentation which substantiates the legal character of the entity in the country in which it operates.
- Must be in operation for a minimum of two years. This must be supported by bank statements or financial statements covering the last two years.
- Must have less than 50 employees and generate under $1 million per year.
Interested MSMEs can access more information about the Call for Proposals and apply to the Matching Grants Programme by clicking the link below.
Jacques Hinkson-Compton
OECS Communications Unit