Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Faith-based Organisations Special Fund Grant Facility 2026 supports faith-based organisations in Barbados that deliver programmes focused on youth empowerment, skills development, community engagement, and social improvement. The initiative provides funding for projects that help young people build skills, access opportunities, and contribute positively to their communities.
About the Faith-based Organisations Special Fund Grant Facility
The Ministry of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector has launched the 2026 Faith-based Organisations Special Fund Grant Facility to support faith-based organisations implementing impactful social programmes for young people across Barbados.
The fund was established as part of the Government of Barbados’ 2026 Manifesto commitment to create a dedicated funding mechanism for faith-based organisations working to:
- Keep young people engaged in positive activities
- Develop practical and employable skills
- Provide training and learning opportunities
- Improve the quality of life of youth and communities
- Promote social and economic empowerment
The programme supports Barbados’ broader vision of inclusive growth, community development, innovation, and sustainable youth empowerment.
Priority Areas
Projects must align with at least one of the programme’s strategic priority areas.
Innovation and Enterprise
Activities may include:
- STEAM education initiatives
- Entrepreneurship training
- Business skills development
- Financial literacy programmes
- Startup support for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs)
- Innovation-focused youth projects
Health and Wellness
Eligible activities may include:
- Healthy workplace initiatives
- Healthy lifestyle awareness campaigns
- Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) prevention programmes
- Mental health awareness activities
- Work-life balance initiatives
- Community wellness programmes
Crime Prevention
Projects may focus on:
- Addressing social factors linked to crime
- Addressing economic drivers of criminal behaviour
- Environmental interventions that promote safer communities
- Positive youth engagement programmes
- Community-based prevention initiatives
Youth Engagement
Supported activities include:
- School-to-work transition programmes
- Workforce readiness initiatives
- Career preparation activities
- Employability skills training
- Targeted support for vulnerable youth
Life Skills Development
Projects may provide training in:
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Communication skills
- Decision-making
- Creativity and innovation
- Interpersonal skills
- Conflict resolution
- Self-awareness
- Empathy
- Stress management
Funding Available
The Government of Barbados has allocated a total of:
- $5 million for the grant facility
Funding distribution includes:
- $1,250,000 available each quarter
- Funding distributed equally across four quarters of the financial year
- Unused funds carried forward to the next quarter within the same financial year
Grant Size
- Minimum grant amount: $1,000
The minimum grant level allows organisations of varying sizes to access funding and implement impactful community programmes.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Faith-based organisations operating in Barbados
- Organisations actively engaged in youth empowerment and development
- Organisations implementing community-focused social programmes
- Groups promoting sustainable development opportunities for young people
Applicants must ensure that their proposed project aligns with at least one of the programme’s priority areas.
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
Examples of eligible projects may include:
- Entrepreneurship and business training programmes
- STEAM education workshops
- Youth mentoring initiatives
- Career readiness and employability programmes
- Mental health awareness campaigns
- Community wellness activities
- Crime prevention and youth diversion projects
- Leadership development programmes
- Life skills training workshops
- Community engagement and outreach activities
Why This Fund Matters
Young people face a range of social and economic challenges, including unemployment, skills gaps, mental health concerns, and limited access to opportunities.
This grant facility seeks to:
- Strengthen youth participation in positive activities
- Build skills for future employment and entrepreneurship
- Improve community wellbeing
- Reduce risk factors associated with crime and social exclusion
- Promote innovation and lifelong learning
- Support sustainable community development
By investing in faith-based organisations, the programme leverages trusted community networks that already play an important role in youth development and social support.
How to Apply
Interested organisations should:
- Review the programme priorities and eligibility requirements
- Identify a community need affecting young people
- Design a project that addresses one or more priority areas
- Develop a realistic implementation plan and budget
- Demonstrate how the project will benefit youth and communities
- Submit a proposal in accordance with the Ministry’s application requirements
Projects should clearly explain:
- The issue being addressed
- Target beneficiaries
- Planned activities
- Expected outcomes
- Budget requirements
- Long-term community impact
Tips for a Strong Application
- Align the project closely with programme priorities
- Demonstrate clear benefits for young people
- Provide measurable outcomes and expected results
- Present a realistic and achievable budget
- Show community support and engagement
- Explain how the project can create lasting impact
- Highlight the organisation’s experience and capacity
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Faith-based Organisations Special Fund Grant Facility?
It is a Barbados government funding programme that supports faith-based organisations delivering youth-focused social and community development initiatives. - How much funding is available under the programme?
A total of $5 million has been allocated to the grant facility. - What is the minimum grant amount?
The minimum grant available is $1,000. - Who can apply for funding?
Faith-based organisations actively engaged in youth empowerment and sustainable community development across Barbados. - What priority areas are supported?
Innovation and Enterprise, Health and Wellness, Crime Prevention, Youth Engagement, and Life Skills Development. - Can projects address more than one priority area?
Yes. Projects may address multiple priority areas where appropriate. - What is the main goal of the programme?
The programme aims to empower young people, strengthen communities, build skills, improve wellbeing, and support positive social and economic development throughout Barbados.
Conclusion
The Faith-based Organisations Special Fund Grant Facility 2026 provides significant support for faith-based organisations working to improve the lives of young people in Barbados. With funding available for programmes focused on innovation, health, crime prevention, youth engagement, and life skills development, the initiative creates opportunities for organisations to deliver meaningful community impact while contributing to national development goals.
For more information, visit Ministry of Labour.