The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), in its capacity as the regional trade and investment promotion organization of the Caribbean, recognizes the need for firms, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to retool and mitigate the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In its commitment to supporting the region’s private sector recovery, Caribbean Export has developed the Direct Support Grants Programme 2021 (DSGP), to provide vital financial support for business continuity. Funds have been allocated for CARIFORUM firms, including businesses in Trinidad and Tobago, to be dispersed as grant funding in 2022.
Caribbean Export is making an open call for Proposals from CARIFORUM businesses, for an opportunity to access a non-reimbursable grant, valued between €10,000 – €30,000, to implement approved projects in the following eligible areas:
- Resource Efficiency and Renewable Energy;
- Digitalisation of Business;
- Marketing & Promotions;
- Building Resilience;
- Purchase & Upgrade of Capital Goods;
- Certification;
- Capacity Building; and
- Protection of Intellectual Property Rights.
To be eligible for the Grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company;
- Be legally registered and operating in one of the following CARIFORUM Member States: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Commonwealth of Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname;
- Be operating/trading for at least two (2) years, supported by the last two (2) years’ financial statements (income statements and balance sheets for 2019 and 2020) and the six (6) months’ bank statements (April – September 2021). These financial statements can be audited or unaudited. All unaudited statements must be presented according to international financial reporting standards; and
- Has not previously received a grant from Caribbean Export.
The total costs and budget of the proposed project must not exceed the maximum amount of the grant (€30,000). Applicants will not have the opportunity to provide counterpart funding for any project expense under this Grant. Applications will be evaluated by members of a committee comprising independent evaluators and be assessed in terms of financial capacity, relevance, effectiveness and feasibility, sustainability and budget and cost-effectiveness of the project.
Successful applicants will be awarded the funds by Caribbean Export in two (2) tranches, each being 50% of the eligible project costs.
As Caribbean Export continues to ascertain the needs of the regional private sector for growth and development, it is seeking to provide the most appropriate and direct support required, given the challenges that are being experienced as a result of the ongoing pandemic. This Grant has been identified to mitigate the immediate impact in the short-term, enable businesses to remain operational; and assist the rebound in the medium-to long-term.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry implores the domestic private sector to take advantage of the grant opportunities offered by Caribbean Export, as a means to support retooling and recovery efforts.
The deadline for the receipt of Proposals is December 8, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. (Barbados Time). Further information on the Programme, including the eligibility criteria, the application process, and application forms, can be obtained by visiting https://www.carib-export.com/opportunities/2021-call-for-proposals-direct-support-grants-programme/
Interested entities can also contact Caribbean Export via e-mail at dsgpinfo@carib-export.com
