Firms get shot at grant funding to retool

by Marlon Madden

Firms in Barbados and the rest of CARIFORUM states have an opportunity to apply for and receive up to €30,000 in grant funding through the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export),
as they continue to mitigate the impact of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

Companies have until 4:30 p.m. on December 8, 2021 to apply for the Direct support Grants Programme (DSGP) funding.

The DSGP was developed in response to the immediate need for firms to retool and mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Caribbean Export said it had allocated funds for CARIFORUM firms, to be dispersed as grant funding in 2022.The funding is provided by the European Union (EU) under the 11th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme.

CARIFORUM firms can receive a non-reimbursable grant valued between €10,000 and €30,000, to implement approved projects.

Caribbean Export noted that only applications submitted using the updated application form will be eligible for consideration.

Firms must therefore ensure that they download and complete the updated form (filename: DSGP-Application-Form-Nov 1). They are also required to submit two copies of their application package in hard copy via courier or hand delivery to Caribbean Export Headquarters in Barbados by the deadline.

The information can be found on Caribbean Export’s website at www.carib-export.com/opportunities This is the second round of funding being offered through the Caribbean Export to businesses.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Barbados and the rest of the region had the opportunity to apply for grants of up to US$15,000 to be used on various technical projects to enhance their operation during the summer.

Caribbean Export, in collaboration with Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the European Union had opened that grant call for applications under its Technical Assistance Programme (TAP), to be used on various technical assistance projects including, but not limited to, resource efficiency and renewable energy, digitisation of business, marketing and promotions, building resilience, purchase and upgrade of capital goods, certification, capacity building and protection of intellectual property rights.

marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb