KINGSTOWN, ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES — October 14, 2026
Small businesses operating in St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ fisheries, marine tourism and waste management sectors are being encouraged to explore an upcoming grant financing opportunity under a regional Blue Economy initiative.
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has announced the third and final Window 1 call for proposals under the Regional Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (MSME) Matching Grants Programme.
The programme forms part of the World Bank-funded Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project.
Eligible businesses in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Saint Lucia will have an opportunity to seek financial and business development support through the initiative.
Which Businesses Could Benefit?
The funding opportunity targets micro, small and medium-sized enterprises operating in three sectors:
- Fisheries and related marine businesses
- Marine and coastal tourism
- Waste management
These sectors are considered important to developing a sustainable Blue Economy, which seeks to generate economic benefits from marine and coastal resources while protecting the environment.
Participating businesses could potentially use approved support to strengthen their operations, competitiveness and long-term sustainability, subject to the programme’s requirements.
Virtual Launch Scheduled for October 30
The OECS will officially launch the third and final Window 1 call during a virtual information session scheduled for Friday, October 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Entrepreneurs attending the session will receive information about eligibility, application requirements and the types of assistance available.
The October 30 event is the launch date, not a confirmed application closing deadline.
Business owners are encouraged to attend so they can understand the application procedures before preparing proposals.
Why This Matters for SVG Businesses
Access to financing remains an important challenge for many small businesses in the Caribbean.
Enterprises operating in fisheries, marine tourism and environmental services often need financial assistance to modernise equipment, improve operations and strengthen their ability to compete.
Matching grant programmes can help qualifying businesses undertake investments while encouraging their own financial participation.
The exact grant amounts, required business contributions and application deadlines for the new call should be confirmed through the official OECS programme guidance.
How to Learn More
Business owners can register for the virtual information session using the official OECS registration link:
Further enquiries can be directed to the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme at mgp.unit@oecs.int.
With this being described as the final Window 1 call under the UBEC Project, interested businesses are encouraged to review the opportunity carefully.
SVG Bulletins encourages eligible entrepreneurs to consult the official OECS announcement and participate in the upcoming information session.
