In a groundbreaking move for disability inclusion, the Digicel Foundation partnering with the United Nations Development Programme’s Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, has awarded six entities with a first-of-its-kind grant in Trinidad and Tobago.
Through this collaboration, the six ‘Innovation Challenge’ grantees will receive up to TT$450,000 in funding to accelerate their business ideas, turning inspiration into tangible impact.
The recipients are the Cashew Gardens Community Council, Joe Brien Media, New Beginners Educational Centre, Healing with Horses, Kidspace Educational Limited, and Lady Hochoy Gasparillo.
According to the Foundation’s CEO, Penny Gomez, inclusion is not just a matter of social good, but a driver of national development. She said it strengthens society, making it more compassionate, resilient, and innovative.
“We know that persons with disabilities continue to face economic and social barriers to education, to employment, to infrastructure, and to business opportunities. This innovation challenge was created to help change that story, to open doors for innovation and entrepreneurship among person with disabilities.”
The Grant sets a new regional benchmark as one of the first Caribbean grant initiatives focused on enhancing the livelihoods of persons with disabilities through entrepreneurship.
UNDP Resident Representative Ugo Blanco, stated that the Grant “is not charity, but a responsibility” and emphasised that sustainable development cannot exist without inclusivity. He stressed the importance of ensuring everyone has a voice in shaping the future.
“About 50,000 people more or less, 4% of the population in Trinidad and Tobago, live with disabilities, and the Ministry of People, Social Development and Family Services is doing a lot of work on capacity building, on awareness, on education, but we have to do more.”
Director of Disability Affairs at the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Nirmala Maharaj-Sawh, pointed out that programmes such as this will bring meaningful benefits to all members of society.
“This event signals that inclusion is not charity, it is an investment and that persons are empowered by opportunity and mentorship. It is initiatives like this that shift the narrative from what assistance is needed to what solutions can be created.”