A new co-financing initiative aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accelerate their green transition and digital transformation has been introduced in Saint Lucia.
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), with support from the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, has launched the Building Resilient Innovation for Digital & Green Enterprises (BRIDGE) programme. The initiative offers co-financing of up to EUR€100 000 to help SMEs advance their digital and green transition efforts.
To help local businesses access this opportunity, Caribbean Export will host a capacity-building session titled Expanding Access to Finance on October 27, at Coco Palm, Rodney Bay, starting at 9:00 a.m.
According to Caribbean Export, the session will feature interactive discussions designed to provide participants with practical knowledge of the financial services and products available to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It will also outline strategies to effectively access these resources.
“Participants will explore a broad range of financing options and sources, including commercial banking services, credit unions, microfinance, equity financing, and grant opportunities,” the agency said in a statement. “The session will also examine the suitability of these financial instruments for MSMEs at various stages of growth.”
Attendees will also hear from a past Caribbean Export grant beneficiary who will share firsthand insights into the process and impact of receiving grant funding.
An additional session will introduce the EU-funded BRIDGE Grant Facility, providing an overview of the application process, engagement guidelines, and preparation steps for upcoming funding opportunities.
Key aspects of the BRIDGE programme will be outlined, including grant size, eligibility criteria, co-financing requirements, and priority focus areas such as support for women and youth-led businesses, digital transformation, and green transition.
In keeping with Caribbean Export’s goal of strengthening SME competitiveness and enhancing export readiness across the region, the sessions are designed to equip participants with the skills needed to develop effective grant proposals. Topics will also aim to grow participants’ understanding of different types of grants, the grant lifecycle, key components of successful proposals, and practical writing techniques to improve applications.
