by Roxanne Thompson

• 10 young entrepreneurs receive seed grants of up to EC$3,000
• 50 participants eligible for 1% concessional loans of up to EC$30,000
• Funding supports agribusiness, agri-tech and other youth-led ventures

10 young entrepreneurs received seed grants of up to EC$3,000 on 30 July, under a government-supported programme designed to help youth-led businesses launch and expand. The grants were presented at the Public Workers’ Union Conference Room in Tanteen during a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The YOUtrepreneur Programme initiative is a partnership between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Grenada Development Bank (GDB), following a business development programme delivered by the Grenada Investment Development Corporation (GIDC).

Among the beneficiaries was Chad McFarlane, founder of Paragon Farms — a climate-smart agribusiness in Felix Park, Mamma Cannes. McFarlane received funding which he said will establish an apiculture branch alongside his crop operations: “This is for the bees… to get the hives and everything organised for bee farming,” he said.

In agri-tech, Shenelle Young, founder of Green Zource, is using her grant to build a platform connecting local farmers directly with institutional buyers across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. Young said the grant will help cover legal services to ensure the platform complies with Grenadian law, as well as cover domain registration and email subscription fees. She noted that while the funding amount she received is not quite enough on its own when building her business, she affirmed that the grant provides a vital starting point to help accelerate her operations.

More than 60 young people applied, with 50 completing training in business planning, risk management and record-keeping. 10 participants were selected to receive seed grants, while all programme participants remain eligible to apply for concessional micro-loans of up to EC$30,000 at a 1% interest rate, subject to meeting the programme’s requirements.

The grant distribution forms part of the government’s broader strategy to support youth-led micro-enterprises across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique. The programme targets entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35, and combines business training with affordable financing to help startups and existing small businesses transition into the formal economy. Participants also received training in financial management, costing and pricing, customer service, and business continuity planning before receiving financial support.

Institutional representatives emphasised that statutory readiness is critical for long-term growth. Debbie Farray, Business Development Officer of the GDB, reminded participants that obtaining a tax ID and NIS registration are among the important steps toward building legitimate businesses and meeting the requirements for future financing, government contracts and expansion opportunities.

Addressing programme accessibility after the ceremony, Coordinator of Youth Carlene Perryman said applications and assessments will be conducted on an ongoing basis rather than through rigid annual cycles, allowing the Ministry and GDB to support young entrepreneurs at different stages of business development. She encouraged interested young people to contact Debbie Farray for information on eligibility requirements for grants, concessional loans and business training. Perryman also noted that while the youth entrepreneurship programme targets applicants aged 18–35, additional programmes are available for entrepreneurs outside that age group.

A power outage briefly interrupted the Junior Minister for Youth and Sports, Senator Seville Francis, but she continued her address without amplification, as attendees and media personnel used the lights on their devices to illuminate the front room. She emphasised that these young entrepreneurs are “…building industries, creating jobs, strengthening our food systems, and positioning Grenada as a regional hub for innovation.”

Programme officials will provide post-grant mentorship and follow-up support to monitor their progress and ensure funding is used in line with their approved business plans.

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