Press Releases
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has completed a high-impact Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) training for OECS Business Support Organisations (BSOs), aimed at transforming them into data-driven engines of growth and innovation.
Held at the St. Kitts & Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce from August 26 to 28, the three-day workshop was attended by Business Development Officer at the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED), Miss Nisha Glasgow. It brought together mid to senior-level professionals from chambers of commerce, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) support agencies, incubators, and industry associations across the region. The initiative, supported by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Regional Integration Through Growth Harmonisation and Technology (RIGHT) Programme and the International Trade Centre (ITC), was part of a broader strategy to institutionalise performance measurement and elevate the role of BSOs as trusted contributors to national and regional business ecosystems.
In her opening remarks, Senior Technical Specialist of the Competitive Business Unit at the OECS Commission, Andrena Simon, framed the workshop’s purpose and reminded participants that
“Monitoring, evaluation, and planning is not just about collecting data, it is about learning, improving, and ensuring that our programmes deliver real value,” said an OECS representative during the opening session. “Together, we can build stronger organisations that are accountable, effective, and responsive to the needs of the private sector.”
The workshop covered a range of topics, including strategy mapping and results chains, Key Performance Indicator (KPI) frameworks, satisfaction measurement, and impact reporting. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises designed to align institutional goals with measurable outcomes, while also exploring tools for CRM optimization, dashboard development, and evidence-based advocacy.
At its core, the training reflects a paradigm shift: BSOs are no longer just service providers; they are becoming strategic data hubs and policy influencers. By equipping these institutions with the tools to track performance, assess impact, and communicate results, the OECS is laying the groundwork for smarter investments, more responsive policies, and a stronger, more resilient business ecosystem.
This initiative builds on the OECS Competitive Business Unit’s mandate to enhance the international competitiveness of MSMEs through capacity building and collaboration. It also reinforces the region’s commitment to aligning with global M&E standards, ensuring that Caribbean data is not only credible but comparable on the world stage.
As the OECS continues to champion innovation and integration, this workshop signals a new era of accountability and purpose for the region’s business support infrastructure.
Administrative Assistant to the OAS SVG Office, Diana Browne (R), supervises the signing of the agreement for the OUCCI Project. Signing L-R: CED General Manager Ronette Lewis; CED Training and Education Officer Keisha Phillips; and Director of Economic Planning, Ricardo Frederick.
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, 12 August 2025 – The Organization of American States (OAS), through its Development Cooperation Fund (DCF), has approved a US$125,000 (XCD$308,000) project for the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED) that focuses on the impact of climate change on women and underserved communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Unlocking Opportunities through Climate Change Initiatives (UOCCI) Project will be implemented during the OAS/DCF 2024-2027 programming cycle to support, recognize and foster the contributions of women and underserved communities to create a more inclusive and effective approach to climate action that benefits everyone.
The goal of the OUCCI Project is to reduce the impact of climate change to enhance livelihoods and increase economic opportunities for women and vulnerable communities. The project features a number of training sessions, forums and grant funding for climate action projects developed by groups/organizations.
On 12th August 2025 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conference Room, the OUCCI Project signing ceremony was held, with staff from the Ministries of Finance, Economic Planning and Information Technology and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the local OAS office and CED witnessing the event.
The OUCCI Project is funded from US$1.875.000 in seed funding that was approved for the 2024-2027 DCF Programming Cycle dedicated to climate action, and guided by four thematic areas: Circular Economy (CE), Climate and Environmental Education, Development of Climate-Smart Skills, and the Impact of Climate Change on Women and Underserved Communities. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is among fifteen (15) countries that are eligible to participate in the 2024–2027 OAS/DCF programming cycle under the four approved programs.
Between 2014 and 2024 the OAS/DCF has funded a number of projects in St Vincent and the Grenadines, including the US$83,000 Comprehensive Early Childhood Care project entitled “Restructuring the Early Childhood Curriculum in SVG” during the 2017-2021 cycle, and US$100,000 for CED’s Resilience through Innovation and Technology (RIT) MSME Recovery Programme during the 2021-2024 cycle.
The Development Cooperation Fund (DCF) of the Organization of American States (OAS) is supported by the annual voluntary contributions of OAS member states and is geared towards addressing their most urgent development needs, particularly among those with smaller and more vulnerable economies. In its programming, the Fund emphasizes institutional and human resource capacity building as the basis for sustainable development.
The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) is inviting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to participate in its Business Continuity Planning (BCP) for MSMEs Workshop scheduled for September.
The training aims to help thirty (30) MSMEs develop their own Business Continuity Plans (BCP), ensuring that they are well-prepared to respond effectively to unforeseen disruptions – whether it be natural disasters, economic challenges, or other crises. It is scheduled to take place 9-11 September, at the UWI Global Campus, Kingstown, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The workshop will provide participants with the tools, knowledge, and practical steps needed to safeguard their operations and ensure business resilience in times of uncertainty. It is designed to help participants to equip their businesses with a robust plan to minimize disruptions and safeguard operations, strengthen their businesses’ ability to quickly recover and adapt to unforeseen challenges, and help them gain practical knowledge on risk management and business resilience that can be applied directly to your operations.
According to the CED, this BCP training is timely and necessary, especially after the experiences and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the La Soufriere volcanic eruptions in 2021, and Hurricane Beryl last year.
“If there is anything that we have learned over the past five years, and now that we are into yet another active hurricane season, it is that it is critical for MSMEs to have a plan in place to manage their continuity in the event of any disruption,” says CED Training and Education Coordinator, Keisha Phillips. “However, Business Continuity Management or Planning is more than just “disaster recovery”; it is about preventing loss, and preparing for disruptive incidents that may cripple your operations for a period of time, or ruin your ability to function.”
“A Business Continuity Plan can help businesses when faced with such kind of disruptions, and the CED is offering this opportunity to empower MSME owners and their staff in getting in-depth understanding of the importance of Business Continuity Planning and the need to develop a plan for their businesses. We wish to urge businesses to take this training opportunity.”
Registration for this workshop closes on 20 August. Interested persons can register at: http://bit.ly/4m7v0vg .
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 18 July, 2025 – The men’s empowerment project, titled ‘Technical Assistance for Men’s Employment and Entrepreneurship Development’ (TAMEED) Project, which was implemented by the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED), with funding from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, ended today with a Closing and Grant Awards Ceremony.
The culmination of the project was marked with number of businesses receiving seed fund injections totaling XCD$220,000 that are expected to improve and expand their businesses.
The financial grants were disbursed among thirty-six (36) entrepreneurs who completed the men’s empowerment project, which was developed by the CED to equip male entrepreneurs with the skills necessary for sustainable growth and development in their enterprises. Its main focus was on personal and professional development, mentorship, and financial grants.
Thirty-four (34) participants were recipients of grants of XCD$5,000 each, while the winners of the Business Pitch Competition held on 15 July, Ferique Shortte of Union Food Processing and Eric Clarke of Teric’s Poultry and Meats, received XCD$15,000 and $10,000 for first and second place prizes respectively.
Addressing the Closing and Grant Awards Ceremony at the Lecture Hall of the UWI Global Campus today, General Manager of the CED, Ronette Lewis, promised that they will continue to provide technical support to the grant recipients even though the project has ended, noting that the end of the project marks a new beginning for them.
“The knowledge, the insights and the networks that you have formed over these last few months are really seeds. So now it’s up to each and every one of you to plant the seeds in your communities; plant the seeds in your families; plant the seeds in your businesses and plant these seeds in yourselves.”
She said that over the next few months, the CED would continue to monitor the businesses to see how the grants are invested and how the entrepreneurs are implementing their training into their operations.
Pierre Gonazlez, Self Reliance Manager for Area, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, expressed satisfaction with the project and said they plan to partner with the CED on future programmes. He urged the grant recipients to share with others how the project has impacted their lives and businesses, so that they too can benefit from future programmes.
“I think this, what we’re doing in this project, symbolizes that; it gives power to our creative natures, to our potentials as sons and daughters of God that we can create things, that we have that ability to provide things for ourselves. And I believe that when we are blessed with something I think it comes naturally to share it others. We want to do more projects like this. We feel that many people can be blessed,” Gonzalez said.
Another representative of the Church, President Cozi Stewart, advised the participants to work together to ensure that their businesses succeed. “I just want you to know that we will continue to support you. We’ll do our very best to make sure that you find success, because your success means that our country is successful. That’s a good thing,” Stewart stated.
DRIVING SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT
Meanwhile, as the project ended, participants spoke of the positive impact it has had on them as individuals and as business owners. Reflecting on his experience in the project, Ferique Shortte of Union Food Processing, who won the Business Pitch Competition, said it was more than just acquiring skills.
“It is about fostering a mindset of continuous learning, resilience, and innovation. The knowledge and administrative expertise we have gained here are stepping stones to scaling our businesses, accessing new markets, and contributing to the economic and social development of St Vincent and the Grenadines.”
According to Shortte, the project stands as a testament to the power of education and collaboration in driving small business growth and employment. He also commended his fellow grant recipients, noting that the future of business and employment in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is brighter because of their commitment and passion.
“As you leave here today, remember that entrepreneurship is not a solitary journey,” he cautioned. “Continue to seek mentorship, embrace collaboration, and remain open to new ideas. Your growth as entrepreneurs will not only shape your own futures, but will also create jobs, inspire others, and drive progress in our society.”