The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission extends heartfelt congratulations to the 28 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent & the Grenadines who have been awarded grants under the First (1st) Window 1 Call for Proposals for The Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme.
This milestone marks the first step toward transforming their businesses, creating new opportunities, and strengthening the Blue Economy.
Funded by the World Bank and implemented through the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project, the programme provides eligible enterprises with grant support ranging from US$5,000 to $25,000. The 28 newly awarded MSMEs will use their funding to acquire new equipment, upgrade facilities, scale production, enhance branding, and expand into new markets, all while contributing to environmental sustainability and job creation.
Celebrating MSME achievements
Ocean Marine Shipping Agencies is a seafood processing company operating from St Vincent and the Grenadines. Co-owner of Ocean Marine Shipping Agencies Shanna Browne reveals the grant will facilitate the enterprise’s growth into the international market. “Through the support of the UBEC grant, the company will procure new equipment to restore operations and maintain international quality standards. This initiative will enable the resumption of exports, strengthen food safety practices, and safeguard the livelihoods of workers in the rural community of Owia.”
Owner of Solomon Water Taxi John St Brice notes the grant will aid the modernisation of his enterprise. Solomon Water Taxi offers tours and basic water taxi services in St Lucia. “The grant fund will be used for purchasing an outboard Yamaha engine. Building resilience and innovation in Tourism, economic empowerment and promoting sustainable development.”
Tamara Prosper, owner of Tambran by Tamara, expects the grant to revamp the operations of her enterprise. Prosper’s enterprise is an eco-jewellery and accessories brand based in Grenada that transforms waste materials, such as plastic bottles, vinyl, wood, and natural elements like tamarind seeds into luxury jewellery, art pieces, and innovative products like the Protective Hair Hive. “The UBEC grant will support scaling up production, acquiring specialised equipment, improving branding and packaging and launching the protective hair hive product by transforming 80% of collected plastic bottles into market-ready products, entering 2 new export markets, etc. all while reducing environmental waste and promoting sustainable entrepreneurship.”
OECS Commission Senior Grants Advisor, Kyle Garnes, commended the new recipients. “Today, we celebrate the resilience and creativity of 28 MSMEs whose hard work and vision are shaping the future of the Blue Economy. This is more than funding; it is recognition of their potential and a stepping stone to greater success. We are proud of what they have accomplished and look forward to the impact they will make.”
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for grant funding under the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme, MSMEs must:
- Be legally registered and operating in Grenada, St Lucia, or St Vincent & the Grenadines
- Provide Business Registration or fisherfolk identification
- Have been in operation for a minimum of 2 years
- Employ fewer than 50 people and generate less than US$1,000,000 annually
2nd Call for Proposals for Window 1 for The Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme — Don’t miss out.
The OECS Commission encourages all eligible MSMEs in the Fisheries, Marine Tourism, and Waste Management sectors to apply for the upcoming 2nd Window 1 Call for Proposals, which will be launched via a virtual event on Friday, 17 October 2025, at 10 am. This is a chance for MSMEs to access the tools, training, and financial support needed to scale their businesses, strengthen their competitiveness, and contribute to sustainable growth in the region.
Learn how to apply and join the webinar by clicking the link http://bit.ly/3KqdZyV
Congratulations once again to the 28 grant recipients. Your journey to transforming the Blue Economy has begun. We look forward to seeing many more MSMEs follow in your footsteps in the 2nd Window 1 Call for Proposals.
The following enterprises represent the innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit that are helping to create jobs, strengthen local economies, and ensure more sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.
St Vincent & the Grenadines
- WeFm — Wendy Defrietas (Tourism)
- Alana’s Design — Alana Mc Master (Waste Management)
- Dive Antilles — James and Kerry Walker (Tourism)
- Dive Bequia — Catharine Howard Sachs (Tourism)
- Karibbean Trucking — Jomo Jack (Waste Management)
- Ocean Marine Shipping Agencies — Mark Jacobs and Shanna Browne (Fisheries)
- P&M Metalworks — Phillip Hazel (Fisheries)
- PRDG — Jaimason Samuel (Waste Management)
- Seamoss Boss Canouan — Junior and Shavorn Stephens (Fisheries)
- The Cariway — Cenus Hinds (Tourism)
- SVG Sailing Association — Jenny Trumble (Tourism)
St Lucia
- E&E Agrochemicals — Eugene Gabriel (Waste Management)
- Action Adventure Divers — Cuthbert and Chester Nathoniel (Tourism)
- Esperance Estates (Soufriere) Ltd. — Melanie Hippolyte (Fisheries)
- Flour Freedom — Gemi St. Paul (Waste Management)
- John Magloire — John Magloire (Fisheries)
- Jus Gel — Justus William (Fisheries)
- Laborie Fishers & Consumers Cooperative Society Ltd — Julian Du Bois (Fisheries)
- Seamoss Central Ltd. — Camry Frederick (Fisheries)
- Solomon Tours & Water Taxi — John St. Brice (Tourism)
- Titan Foods — Thygeson Joseph (Fisheries)
- Renew SLU Inc — Kuniel Lynch (Waste Management)
Grenada
- Tambran by Tamara — Tamara Prosper (Waste Management)
- GrenMoor — Junior Cuffie (Tourism)
- FishNet Ltd. — Billy DeRoche (Fisheries)
- Glamping Grenada — Rebekah Ragbersingh (Tourism)
- Rachel Bee — Renric Bethel (Fisheries)
- Milkeni Trading — Sean Francis (Fisheries)
These awardees represent the first step in a larger regional effort to unlock the potential of the Blue Economy by empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses. With the support of the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme, MSMEs are already building resilience, creating jobs, and strengthening sustainable livelihoods in fisheries, marine tourism, and waste management.
MSME owners are strongly encouraged to join the virtual launch to learn more about eligibility requirements, the application process, and the training opportunities available under the programme.
For details and to access the webinar link, please visit the UBEC page on the OECS website or contact [email protected].
To send in your applications, email to [email protected]. To learn more about our UBEC Regional MSME Matching Grants Awardees visit the OECS’ social media platforms in the coming weeks.
OECS
