The Caribbean Export Development Agency and Go-Invest are hosting a workshop on Grant Proposal Writing on Friday October 28, in keeping with the agency’s aim to foster an enabling environment for trade and investment within the region.
According to a press release, the initiative is within the context of the agency seeking to increase the technical capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to prepare successful applications for donor funding. It reflects the agency’s mission to create an environment that facilitates trade in the region through regional integration, cooperation and advocacy initiatives.
The objectives of the workshop are to promote and increase awareness of the Direct Assistance Grant Scheme and how SMEs can access funding to enhance their competitiveness through increasing exports of goods and services or potential to export goods and services; to explain and illustrate to firms how to prepare an application for grant funding and to guide Business Support Organisations in delivering on assistance to firms in preparing grant funding applications. The workshop will be held at the Regency Hotel on Hadfield Street at 9am.
The release said the EU-funded Direct Assistance Grant Scheme provides assistance to companies to address the constraints they encounter as they boost their capacity, develop new products or access regional and extra-regional markets. Registered Cariforum firms that have the potential to export their products/services or increase their exports may benefit from the Scheme, the release said, adding that priority will be given to sectors such as the creative industry, health and wellness, information technology and professional services. Those undertaking projects or activities that are innovative; such as new products, intellectual property rights and strategic alliances, will also be given priority.
The first call for proposals will be published on Friday, the release said.
