A new nationwide solidarity campaign has kicked off in Grenada, inviting people from every corner of the island nation to give back to Cuba in a show of gratitude for decades of support, as the Caribbean country navigates persistent economic headwinds. Tied to the 47th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the month-long initiative, formally named “Grateful Grenada Gives Back to Cuba,” is set to run from April 14 to May 14, 2026, and is spearheaded by a local civic coalition called Coordinators of Citizens for Cuba, led by Dr. Malachy Dottin, King’s Counsel Ruggles Ferguson, and Dr. Sonia Nixon.
At the official launch event held at Pier 57 on April 14, lead organizer Ferguson emphasized that the campaign is far more than a simple charity drive: it is a long-overdue moral obligation rooted in 47 years of unwavering partnership between the two states. “For nearly half a century, Cuba has extended selfless support to Grenada, leaving no Grenadian untouched by that solidarity, directly or indirectly,” Ferguson noted, pointing to landmark contributions that have shaped modern Grenada. These include the construction of the country’s key infrastructure hub, Maurice Bishop International Airport, and hundreds of educational scholarships that have opened doors for generations of Grenadian students.
Organizers designed the campaign to be accessible to all members of society, with a diverse calendar of fundraising activities spanning every parish, including the smaller island territories of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Churches have already stepped into a central coordinating role, launching targeted donation collections the weekend of April 18–19, with ongoing collection drives planned at congregations across the country every weekend for the duration of the campaign. Beyond faith groups, the trade union movement has also committed to participation, planning special donation drives during May Day celebrations in Carriacou on May 1, while unions and other civil society organizations have been encouraged to host community fundraisers ranging from breakfasts to charity luncheons.
Two major flagship events are already on the official calendar: a fundraising dinner at the Grenada Trade Centre scheduled for May 6, followed by a solidarity concert at the same venue three days later on May 9. Additional community-led activities are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks as more local groups sign on to participate.
Ferguson said the goal of the citizen-led initiative is not only to collect much-needed financial and material aid for Cuba, but also to build a regional movement of solidarity. “We want every Grenadian to have the chance to contribute, and to inspire civil society organizations across the OECS and the wider Caribbean to launch similar efforts,” he explained. Calling on all Grenadians to turn out for the campaign, Ferguson stressed that collective action matters far more than large individual donations. Even though Grenada is not a wealthy nation with vast resources, the people of the country owe Cuba a debt of gratitude that can be repaid through collective solidarity. The campaign’s theme encapsulates this sentiment, framing the effort as a collective expression of gratitude for Cuba’s decades of support.
Launched as a grassroots, citizen-led undertaking, the initiative aims to mobilize contributions from every sector of Grenadian society, bridging public, private, and civic groups to stand in solidarity with Cuba amid its ongoing economic challenges.