Matching Grants Call for Proposals - Window 1
The Regional Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Matching Grant Programme is a World Bank-funded, OECS-led initiative designed to increase productivity, create jobs, and strengthen the capacity of MSMEs in select blue economy value chains, particularly for women. The Programme falls within the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project. It aims to strengthen MSME competitiveness and create added value while fostering the adoption of climate-resilient practices in the target sectors.
The Programme is to specifically support
- Tourist operators, fishers, and coastal communities to increase productivity, jobs, and innovation while ensuring sustainable management of the underlying marine and coastal natural assets,
- The establishment of stronger market linkages and business relations for targeted beneficiaries with other value chain actors.
Window 1
October 17, 2025 10:00am
OECS MGP Unit publishes call for proposals
November 13, 2025 5:00pm
Deadline for requesting any clarifications from the MGP Unit
November 21, 2025 11:59pm
Deadline for submission of proposals
Eligibility Guidelines
For an MSME to qualify, it must meet the following criteria:
- Be legally registered and operating in one of the following OECS Member States: Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
- i. Copy of Registration of Certification or Copy of Registration of Business Name. Fisherfolk may use Ministry-issued Fisher Identification
- ii. Copy of the applicant’s audited financial statements for the last two (2) financial years (income statements and balance sheets) or bank statements for the last two (2) years.
- Have less than fifty (50) employees and generate under 1,000,000.00 EC Dollars annually
- Demonstrate a commitment to growth, job creation (particularly for women), innovation, and building back better
- Able to articulate a credible demand for the types of products and services they are offering.
- MSMEs should not be engaged in activities that lead to significant degradation of natural habitats or in practices that lead to negative environmental impacts.
Selection Criteria
The OECS Evaluation Team will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:
- The relevance, quality, feasibility, and expected impact of the proposed solution for the MSME.
- Connection to the coastal tourism, fisheries or waste management sectors.
- Budget, rationale, and scalability.
- Level of innovation
- Expected environmental impact
- Sustainability of the Project
Eligibility Checks
In addition to the selection criteria outlined above, MSMEs shortlisted for award must meet the following criteria:
- Provide proof of adequate financial resources to satisfy their match obligations.
- Provide evidence that corroborates specific funding requests.
How to Apply
Application Forms
Applications must be submitted using the Grant Application Form and Grant Budget Form. Applications must be completed in accordance with the instructions contained within the two (2) forms.
Applicants must apply in English. Hand-written applications will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted in PDF only.
Budgets may be submitted in excel.
Please read the Application Form Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions before beginning your proposal.
Information Sessions
Please note that the OECS Matching Grants Unit will schedule two (2) information sessions for MSMEs interested in applying for grants under this Call.
These sessions will be held on October 23, 2025 and November 10, 2025 at 10am.
Number of proposals and grants per MSME
MSMEs can only submit one (1) proposal under this Call.
An MSME will not be awarded more than one (1) grant under Window 1.
Deadline for Submissions of Proposals
The deadline for submitting proposals is Friday 21st November 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (EST).
Any proposal submitted after the deadline will automatically be rejected.
Further Information about the Call for Proposals
All questions may be sent to no later than ten (10) working days before the deadline for submission of proposals.
The OECS Matching Grants Unit has no obligation to provide clarifications to questions received after this date. Replies will be given no later than five (5) working days before the deadline for the submission of proposals.
