The Ministry of Tourism, the Creative Economy and Culture is engaging Statutory Boards and State-Owned Enterprises as it moves to develop a structured policy framework requiring these entities to adopt/sponsor recognised cultural organisations as a strategic investment in national development.
A meeting was held on Wednesday, 4 February at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room, Galleria Mall, Grand Anse, to discuss the proposed National Cultural Adoption and Sponsorship Programme (NCASP), the outline of which was presented by Chief Cultural Officer Kelvin Jacob.
The programme proposes introducing a formal adoption/sponsorship model under which every Statutory Body and State-Owned Enterprise will adopt at least one approved cultural entity and integrate cultural support into its approved annual budget.
Designed as a public-sector partnership model to sustain Grenada’s cultural heritage and creative economy, the initiative seeks to address longstanding challenges affecting cultural organisations that play a critical role in preserving the nation’s identity.
Many of these organisations operate amidst chronic underfunding, limited institutional capacity, and an over-reliance on government subventions. While they contribute significantly to social cohesion and national pride, existing support mechanisms remain largely uncoordinated.
Under the proposed framework, each participating body will be required to allocate a percentage of its annual operating budget to support this initiative. The allocation will be subject to Cabinet’s approval and overseen by the Ministry of Finance.
The programme is expected to strengthen the institutional capacity of cultural organisations and reduce their sole dependence on central government funding.
To ensure accountability and transparency, the Ministry of Tourism, the Creative Economy and Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, will maintain a national registry of cultural entities, monitor programme implementation, and present an annual State of Culture Partnership Report to Cabinet.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture. Hon. Adrian Thomas said participants have responded positively to the concept and unanimously welcomed the framework, which they have described as timely, practical, and forward-looking.
“Participants described the meeting as a strong starting point for a broader national movement to invest in culture. Importantly, there was a shared view that the private sector can and should play a complementary role, following the example being set in the public sector,” Minister Thomas said.
The development of the NCASP is expected to result in sustainable financing and improved governance across cultural organisations, including traditional festival committees, community cultural groups, and heritage sites.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance, Hon. Dennis Cornwall; Minister for Tourism, the Creative Economy and Culture, Hon. Adrian Thomas; and Permanent Secretary Desiree Stephen, and drew participation from 43 representatives of 23 Statutory Bodies and State-Owned Enterprises.
Ministry of Tourism
