Jamaica: Local Economic Development Grant Program

Deadline: 31-Jan-22

The Social Development Commission (SDC) has launched an open call for the Local Economic Development Grant (LEDG) Program.

The Local Economic Development Grant (LEDG) has been established by the Social Development Commission (SDC) to assist with the growth and expansion of local economic initiatives (LEIS) operating primarily at the community level.

The Grant will be used to create a platform from which grassroots businesses can grow thereby increasing employment and wealth creation. It is expected that the grant will be used to enhance the capacities, marketability, sustainability and viability of local economic initiatives.

Objectives

This Grant facility is being positioned to:

• Strengthen Local Economic Initiatives (LEIS) capacities and capabilities in business management, production and operations
• expand production and employment
• increase registration of local economic initiatives as small businesses

Themes

The Local Economic Initiatives (LEIS) will be able to apply for grants under the following four (4) themes:

• Capacity Building
  • Skills Training
  • Training in Financial Management, Bookkeeping, Social Media Marketing, Sales, Customer Service
  • Funding support to attend seminars / workshops designed to improve business operations and management
• Procurement of Inputs for Business Expansion
  • Local Economic Initiatives can submit proposals to obtain funding support to:
    • E.g. purchase equipment, tools, supplies, raw materials
    • E.g. procure materials to improve factory space and operations, acquire facility layout designs
• Marketing 
  • LEis can apply for funding support to strengthen their marketing capabilities:
    • E.g. procure packaging, labelling, profile for product development and standardization, acquire product certification and website design
    • E.g. Personal Protective Equipment such as branded double-breasted jacket, toque – chef’s hat, branded shirts, aprons etc;
    • E.g. obtain intellectual property rights protection e.g. patent, trademark etc;
• Business Registration 
  • LEis can submit proposals to acquire financial assistance to register their businesses as a Company

Funding Information

The Local Economic Development Grant (LEDG) is being funded by the Government of Jamaica and, for Financial Year 2021/2022 the maximum amount to be awarded to each successful applicant is JM $250,000.00

Eligibility Criteria

• Local Economic Initiatives (LEIS) owned and operated by the Community Development Committee (CDC) / Development Area Committee (DAC) / Parish Development Committee (PDC)
• Local Economic Initiatives (LE1s) co owned and operated by the Community Development Committee (CDC) / Development Area Committee (DAC) / Parish Development Committee (PDC)
• Local Economic Initiatives(LE1s) affiliated to the Community Development Committee (CDC) / Development Area Committee (DAC) / Parish Development Committee (PDC)

For more information, visit https://sdc.gov.jm/social-development-commission-grant-call-for-proposals-december-30-2021-to-january-31-2022/