Media Release — Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Startup entrepreneurs from the OECS region will be participating in the Eastern Caribbean Green Entrepreneurship Initiative’s Greenpreneurs Incubator Programme over the next 12 weeks. This business support programme is aimed at creating green jobs through environmentally and socially driven enterprises and entrepreneurs.
OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules challenged the participants to become leaders in the global climate battle: “As green entrepreneurs, you will certainly become special soldiers, equipped with the skills and training to impact change in your respective communities. I am truly pleased that you are committing your innovation and ‘sweat equity’ to find solutions for some of the challenges facing the OECS region. You have a major role to play in shifting the behaviour of our society towards a more sustainable future.”
During the 12-week course, the selected participants will benefit from mentorship, and virtual training from experts across the region to develop their entrepreneurial skills and build their capacity to develop green business models. The participants will also have the opportunity to participate in a pitch competition for USD $10,000 grants to support their business development plans.
The programme is being implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in collaboration with the OECS Commission with funding from the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). Both programmes will prioritize women entrepreneurs and green job creation for women and youth, and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to be selected to participate in an exchange visit to Qatar to meet Qatari entrepreneurs in the green sector in 2023.
St. Kitts and Nevis is represented in the first cohort by Jermine Mike with the business “Mother Becky Bush Tea.” The programme will also feature an Accelerator Programme to be launched in coming months, targeting high-potential green enterprises with interest-free loans of up to USD$50,000.