Deadline Date: July 03, 2026
The Regional MSME Matching Grant Programme is a World Bank-funded initiative under the OECS and UBEC Project designed to strengthen MSME competitiveness in blue economy value chains by enhancing productivity, job creation, innovation, and sustainable coastal resource management.
The focus areas, objectives, priorities, and themes of the Programme include strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises in fisheries, coastal and marine tourism, and waste management sectors, promoting productivity growth, job creation, and innovation, fostering collaboration among MSMEs through value chain group formation, improving market linkages and business relationships, supporting climate-resilient and sustainable use of marine and coastal natural assets, and advancing inclusive participation, particularly for women-led and women-benefiting enterprises within the blue economy.
The Programme supports value chain groups operating in select blue economy sectors by providing matching grants to enhance competitiveness and encourage coordinated business development. It places strong emphasis on collaboration among MSMEs, requiring groups of at least three enterprises to work together to implement joint initiatives that strengthen production capacity, improve service delivery, and expand access to markets. These partnerships are intended to help small businesses move beyond isolated operations and function more effectively as part of integrated value chains.
Eligible MSMEs must be legally registered and operating in Grenada, Saint Lucia, or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and must demonstrate at least two years of operational history supported by financial documentation. Each participating enterprise must maintain a business bank account and meet size thresholds of fewer than 50 employees and annual revenues not exceeding one million US dollars. These requirements are designed to ensure financial accountability, operational stability, and readiness for structured growth support.
The Programme is structured to exclude groups that do not align with its blue economy focus or include non-eligible partners such as public sector organizations or NGOs. It specifically prioritizes private sector MSME collaboration within targeted coastal and marine-based industries. By reinforcing formal business practices and encouraging compliance with financial reporting standards, the initiative aims to improve transparency and long-term sustainability among participating enterprises.
Through grant support ranging from 100,000 to 150,000 US dollars under the value chain group window, the Programme enables MSMEs to implement joint projects that enhance productivity, strengthen market connections, and generate greater value within the blue economy. It also promotes the adoption of sustainable and climate-resilient practices that protect marine ecosystems while supporting economic development in coastal communities.
For more information, visit OECS.
