Launched virtually on Friday, May 22, 2026, Window 2 of the programme supports Value Chain Groups operating within the fisheries, coastal tourism, and waste management sectors. Eligible Value Chain Groups can receive grant funding ranging from USD $100,000.00 to USD $150,000.00 to strengthen operations, increase productivity, improve sustainability, and create greater economic opportunities within the OECS Blue Economy.
The programme, implemented under the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) initiative, builds on the success of Window 1, which has already transformed the lives and businesses of individual MSMEs throughout the region.
Senior Grants Advisor at UBEC/OECS, Kyle Garnes highlighted the importance of collaboration among MSMEs throughout the OECS.
“Value Chain Groups are central to the success of the OECS Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme because they empower MSMEs to collaborate, strengthen market linkages, and create greater value across the OECS Blue Economy. By working together, MSMEs can improve competitiveness, build resilience, and unlock sustainable growth opportunities that no single enterprise could achieve alone. Collaboration is how we transform individual MSMEs into stronger, more connected blue economy ecosystems.”
A Value Chain Group consists of three MSMEs or more working together within the same sector to strengthen products, services, and market access.
In the fisheries sector, for example, a fisher may collaborate with a seafood processor and a restaurant or exporter. In waste management, a waste collector may partner with a recycler and a manufacturer that uses recycled materials. Within coastal tourism, a tour operator may work alongside a boat captain and a local accommodation provider to improve visitor experiences and expand tourism opportunities.
The programme is encouraging eligible MSMEs not to delay and to begin preparing applications immediately, emphasising that the grants can significantly improve businesses, create jobs, and strengthen livelihoods throughout the OECS.
Kasha Ragbersingh is Managing Director of Coastal Tourism enterprise, Glamping Grenada. Her business benefited from Window 1 support. She explained how the programme helped improve the sustainability of her business.
“We are in a very harsh environment and water conservation is a very important part of our operations, the grant has allowed us to add on an additional 2000 gallons of water. Not just any water we are literally harvesting rain water. So this will allow us to service places such as our pool, service our garden area and not tax the actual water system.”\n
Similarly, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines kayaking business owner Cenus Hinds reflected on the positive impact the grant had on his operations.
“One of the things that we did not have before is a support vessel that would follow the kayaks along or would follow the paddle boards but when we got the grant that was one of the major things for us we wanted. The grant enabled us to get a 14 foot dingy and we were able to get an electric engine.”\n
To qualify for Window 2, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Applications will also be evaluated based on relevance, innovation, scalability, sustainability, environmental impact, and the overall expected benefit to the MSME sector.
The OECS Commission is encouraging entrepreneurs, cooperatives, women-led businesses, youth entrepreneurs, and emerging Blue Economy stakeholders to seize this opportunity and strengthen regional collaboration through Value Chain partnerships.
Additional information on the second call for proposals can be accessed via the Window 2 Matching Grant webpage at: https://bit.ly/4dh0ZX9
For additional information:
\u200b\ud83d\udce7 mgp.unit@oecs.int
Application submissions should be sent to:
\u200b\ud83d\udce9 ubecgrant@oecs.int
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