OECS Commission extends deadline for regional MSME matching grants programme

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has extended the deadline for Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises to submit proposals for Window 2 of the regional Matching Grants Programme.

The new application deadline is Friday, July 24, 2026.

The programme is an initiative of the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) project, managed by the OECS Commission, and the extension is providing eligible Blue Economy businesses with additional time to apply.

The Commission said in a release that the extension offers Blue Economy Value Chain Groups, particularly women-led enterprises, an enhanced opportunity to access grant funding across the states of Grenada, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Window 2 supports Value Chain Groups comprising three or more Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that work together to create greater value than they could individually. By collaborating, the OECS Commission said businesses can improve efficiency, increase market access, reduce costs, strengthen resilience and create new opportunities for growth. It provides as examples of Value Chain Groups :

1) A fisher supplying fresh seafood to a seafood processor, who in turn supplies a beachside restaurant or a small coastal hotel or inn.

2) A sea moss farmer working alongside a processing company and an exporter to develop value-added sea moss products for regional and international markets.

3) A dive operator partnering with a land-based tour operator ​ and a small coastal hotel or inn to provide visitors with seamless marine tourism experiences.

4) A waste collection enterprise collaborating with a recycling facility and a manufacturer that transforms recycled materials into new products.

These partnerships help businesses become more competitive while strengthening the wider Blue Economy across the region.

The OECS Commission said it is particularly encouraging women entrepreneurs to apply.

“Women continue to play a vital role across the fisheries, marine tourism and waste management sectors as business owners, innovators and community leaders.

“Window 2 provides an opportunity for women-led enterprises to build strategic partnerships, access grant funding and expand the reach and impact of their businesses.”

The Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme has already demonstrated the transformative impact that targeted grant funding can have on businesses throughout the OECS, the Commission also pointed out in its release.

“From sustainable marine tourism enterprises and innovative waste management businesses to fisheries and aquaculture ventures, grant recipients have shown that investment in MSMEs leads to stronger businesses, healthier coastal economies and more resilient communities.

“Their success demonstrates what is possible when entrepreneurs are given the tools and resources needed to grow.”

The OECS Commission is encouraging all eligible businesses not to wait until the final days to apply.

Information for applications may be sourced at ​https://bit.ly/4dh0ZX9 ; and interested applicants may obtain more information at: mgp.unit@oecs.int