Carib Scope

标签： Dominica

多米尼克

  • Regional music rights organization to hold 15th Annual General Meeting in June

    Regional music rights organization to hold 15th Annual General Meeting in June

    The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc., a regional collective management group that represents music creators and rights holders across the subregion, has formally announced plans to host its 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in St. Lucia next month. In a public press release issued by the organization, officials confirmed that the in-person gathering will be complemented by a virtual participation option for members who cannot travel to the host venue, allowing remote attendance via the Zoom video conferencing platform.

    Founded to bring together music writers and publishers from across the Eastern Caribbean, ECCO’s core mandate is to manage global music copyright licensing for public and commercial use across all broadcast and digital platforms. The organization collects royalties on behalf of its member creators and rightsholders, ensuring that creators are compensated fairly when their work is performed or reproduced publicly.

    While a range of operational and strategic governance matters will be addressed during the one-day AGM, the most high-stakes item on the meeting’s agenda is a set of leadership elections to fill vacant board director positions across multiple regional territories and membership classifications. The open seats span all corners of the Eastern Caribbean: one Writer/Director position each will be contested for Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Additionally, five Writer Director seats and two Publisher Director seats representing host territory St. Lucia will be up for election.

    ECCO has outlined clear deadlines and requirements for members seeking to stand for the open director positions. All completed nomination forms must be submitted to the organization’s headquarters located at Maurice Mason Avenue, Sans Souci, Castries, Saint Lucia no later than 10:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Submissions may be delivered either in person to the office or sent electronically to the dedicated email address [email protected] Per ECCO’s rules, every nomination form must carry the signatures of both the nominating member (a writer or publisher matching the nominee’s classification) and the nominee themselves, as formal confirmation that the candidate agrees to serve on the board if elected.

    For members who plan to miss the AGM entirely, whether in person or virtually, the organization has also set rules for proxy voting. To allow an authorized representative to vote and conduct business on their behalf during the meeting, completed proxy forms must be submitted to the ECCO office — either physically or via email — by 10:00 a.m. local time on Thursday, June 18, 2026, one day after the nomination deadline.

    The AGM is officially scheduled to kick off at 10:00 a.m. local time on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Burke King Conference Room in Castries’ Sans Souci district. Meeting organizers confirmed that registered virtual attendees will receive their unique Zoom access link after completing their registration for the event.

  • Cozier Frederick calls for greater regional action on environmental protection at OECS meeting

    Cozier Frederick calls for greater regional action on environmental protection at OECS meeting

    The Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers for Environmental Sustainability has ushered in a new leadership era, with Dominica’s Environment Minister Cozier Frederick taking on the role of chairman and immediately pushing for expanded cross-state collaboration to tackle pressing environmental and climate challenges across the Caribbean region.

    Frederick assumed the post during the 13th biennial meeting of the council, held this week at the Goodwill Parish Hall. The two-day gathering of regional environmental delegates drew to a close on Thursday, with Frederick’s address setting the policy and collaboration agenda for his upcoming tenure.

    In his keynote remarks to attending delegates, Frederick pinpointed three core pillars that will guide regional progress on environmental protection and climate resilience over his term: expanded access to climate financing, targeted investment in local capacity building, and deeper public engagement in sustainability work.

    “Cross-border climate action lives or dies by three things: accessible climate finance, trained personnel to carry out critical resilience work, and buy-in from the communities that these efforts serve,” Frederick told delegates. “These priorities align perfectly with the work we are already advancing here in Dominica to build our own climate resilience.”

    The minister emphasized that while the region has built up a base of technical environmental expertise, a critical gap remains: there are not enough trained professionals and engaged community members to scale up climate adaptation and sustainability work across Eastern Caribbean states. To address this gap, Frederick revealed that Dominica has already pushed the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus to develop new academic programs designed to attract young people to pursue environmental studies as a core field of research and professional development.

    “This investment in the next generation is non-negotiable,” Frederick noted. “We need this growing skilled workforce to continue advancing environmental action both here in Dominica and across every OECS member state.”

    As a small island nation on the front lines of accelerating climate change impacts, Frederick argued that Dominica’s decades of experience adapting to and recovering from climate-related disasters positions the country to lead regional efforts during his tenure. He stressed that the country’s proven track record of climate resilience makes it a valuable example for other vulnerable states across the region.

    “We face climate change head-on, every single day. We have built the ability to bounce back again and again after extreme weather events, and that experience gives us unique insight to share,” he said. “This is a pivotal moment for Dominica, as I take on this chairmanship, to lead the regional conversation and demonstrate what effective climate resilience practice looks like for the entire Eastern Caribbean.”

  • DPSU and prime minister to discuss outstanding concerns at Dominica State College

    DPSU and prime minister to discuss outstanding concerns at Dominica State College

    A high-stakes meeting between leadership of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has been scheduled for the first week of June 2026, aimed at addressing a pile of unresolved grievances that have impacted faculty and non-academic staff at Dominica State College for years.

    What many do not realize is that the problems set to be discussed are not new. According to official statements from the DPSU, a portion of the complaints stretch back to the chaotic period during and after Hurricane Maria made landfall, a devastating storm that inflicted widespread damage across Dominica’s infrastructure and disrupted public institutions. Other concerns, however, predated the catastrophic hurricane, meaning college staff have waited years for meaningful action on their demands.

    The planned sit-down with the prime minister comes after a series of closed-door consultations between DPSU leaders and college employees. During those sessions, staff made clear their growing frustration over the prolonged delays in addressing outstanding issues, with many even pushing for organized protest action to draw attention to their unmet needs. Union leadership has emphasized that the core goal of the upcoming meeting is to move past stalled negotiations and deliver tangible solutions for the long-troubled public tertiary institution.

    Among the top priorities on the meeting agenda is what the union calls chronically insufficient government funding allocated to the college. Another key issue is the extended vacancy in the institution’s top leadership role, with no permanent president appointed after months of delay. Unfinished repairs to campus buildings and facilities, many of which were damaged during Hurricane Maria, will also be a central topic of discussion.

    Additional grievances that will be put forward include multiple vacant full-time staff positions that have yet to be filled, and ongoing delays rolling out formal recommendations from a completed job evaluation and classification exercise meant to update staff roles and compensation structures. Talks will also extend beyond immediate staff concerns to cover broader systemic changes, including plans to strengthen the college’s governance framework and improve its day-to-day operational efficiency.

    The meeting marks a critical turning point for staff at Dominica State College, who have waited years for the government to address their cumulative concerns, after inaction pushed the situation to a potential breaking point.

  • OPEN LETTER: Gregor Nassief to the prime minister on the need for a reset of the Electoral Commission

    OPEN LETTER: Gregor Nassief to the prime minister on the need for a reset of the Electoral Commission

    An open letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Dominica from prominent local figure Gregor Nassief is sounding the alarm over a deeply troubled electoral reform process, calling for an urgent overhaul of the island nation’s Electoral Commission just four and a half months ahead of the October 15, 2026 general election. Nassief argues that repeated institutional failures, eroded public trust, and widespread perceptions of political dependence have left the body incapable of delivering a free, fair, and visibly legitimate election, making a full leadership reset non-negotiable.

    Nassief’s case for reform rests on a pattern of systemic dysfunction that stretches back more than a year. The most foundational violation he cites is the 355-day suspension of continuous voter registration, which ran from March 19, 2025, to March 9, 2026. This pause barred thousands of newly eligible citizens from adding their names to the voter rolls ahead of local government elections, a violation of the constitutional right to voter registration that the Prime Minister has dismissed as “water under the bridge.” When asked whether the suspension could have altered past election outcomes, the sitting Chief Elections Officer (CEO) refused to rule out potential impact, further deepening public uncertainty.

    The ongoing voter list confirmation process, a core component of the government’s electoral reform agenda, has also stalled dramatically. Official data shared by the Prime Minister at a May 5, 2026 press conference shows that by April 30, just 6,592 confirmation applications had been approved out of 16,573 total submissions received over six and a half months. With Dominica’s total voting-age resident population estimated at roughly 55,000, that means fewer than 12% of eligible voters have been successfully added to the new voter roll less than five months out from election day. Even for the small share of voters that have been approved, no identification cards have been issued, with distribution not expected to start for another six to eight weeks.

    Beyond slow progress, the Commission has failed to meet basic transparency and accountability standards expected of democratic institutions, Nassief argues. The body has refused to publish regular, up-to-date data on application volumes, approval rates and overall progress — information that would allow the public to track whether bottlenecks are being addressed and statutory deadlines are on track. It has also failed to communicate openly with the public and press about delays, apologize for disruptions to the process, or lay out clear plans to get back on schedule. Nassief notes that the Prime Minister recently publicly lambasted local utility provider DOMLEC for failing to communicate during power outages, yet has applied no similar standard to the Electoral Commission, despite the body’s responsibility for safeguarding democracy rather than just electricity supply.

    The most damaging flaw, Nassief argues, is the complete lack of visible independence that the Commission has displayed, in violation of constitutional requirements. Section 56(11) of Dominica’s Constitution explicitly states that the Electoral Commission must not be subject to direction or control from any other authority, but in practice, the Prime Minister has repeatedly stepped in to speak on the Commission’s behalf, explain its failures, defend its actions, and even secure external technical assistance from regional bodies. Earlier this month, the Prime Minister announced the government had formally requested support from the Commonwealth Secretariat, Organization of American States, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and CARICOM to address operational shortfalls — a step that Nassief says should have been taken publicly by the independent Commission itself, not the head of government. When the Prime Minister acts as the Commission’s default intermediary, advocate and facilitator, Nassief writes, it creates an unavoidable impression of dependence, not the constitutionally mandated independence the public demands.

    Structural weaknesses have compounded these performance failures. Former Caribbean judge Sir Dennis Byron previously recommended that the Commission expand its membership beyond political party representatives to include independent voices from civil society, academia, religious groups and the business sector, and add at least one female member. That reform has never been implemented, leaving the body structurally unbalanced and less able to build broad public trust.

    When pressed at the May 5 press conference on whether the public perceives the current Commission as impartial, the Prime Minister declined to answer. Nassief says the honest answer is no — and that this lack of perceived legitimacy is itself reason enough for a reset. He is calling for the full Commission and sitting CEO to resign, or at a minimum for the Commission Chair and CEO to be replaced to rebuild trust ahead of the election.

    Nassief also draws attention to a 2024 controversy over the CEO appointment, when all five sitting members of the Commission unanimously recommended reinstating former CEO Ian Michael Anthony, a recommendation that the government rejected in favor of appointing the current incumbent. Anthony, who served as CEO from 2017 to 2024, holds a law degree, a qualification in legislative drafting, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Electoral Policy and Administration. He has also served as an election observer with the Commonwealth Observer Group in multiple regional elections as recently as 2026 in Antigua, making him exceptionally well-qualified for the role, Nassief argues. He is calling for Anthony to be reinstated as CEO, and for a new independent chair — such as a retired Dominican judge — to take over leadership of the Commission.

    Closing the letter, Nassief emphasizes that the call for reform is rooted in concern for the country’s democratic future, not political malice. “Dominica needs a way forward that can restore public confidence before the next general election, and that begins with accepting that the present arrangement has failed,” he writes. If the Prime Minister acts now to reset the Commission’s leadership, Nassief says, the public will have an opportunity to rebuild trust in the electoral process, leading to higher voter participation and a legitimate outcome that all Dominicans can accept. “This is the moment to do what is right for the country: restore confidence, protect the integrity of the process, and help heal the nation by ensuring that the institutions administering our elections are not only independent, but seen by all to be independent,” Nassief concludes.

    The letter includes a disclaimer that the views expressed are those of author Gregor Nassief alone, and do not represent the positions of Duravision Inc., Dominica News Online, or any of their subsidiary brands.

  • CDB and World Bank launch joint action plan to strengthen Caribbean development and resilience

    CDB and World Bank launch joint action plan to strengthen Caribbean development and resilience

    Small island nations across the Caribbean are set to receive expanded, coordinated development backing after the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and World Bank Group moved their landmark collaborative initiative from planning to active implementation during their fourth annual partnership meeting hosted recently at CDB’s Barbados headquarters. This new joint Action Plan targets the Caribbean’s most urgent systemic challenges, from lagging infrastructure to uneven economic growth, with a core mission of boosting regional resilience and driving inclusive, sustainable expansion through aligned institutional action. Against a backdrop of unique structural vulnerabilities that have long held back the region, the partnership marks a deliberate shift away from siloed development efforts toward integrated, resource-efficient problem-solving.

    The framework lays out three clear core components to guide the collaboration: joint portfolio reviews for individual country development projects, unified systems to track how initiatives impact local employment outcomes, and a wide-ranging study of regional connectivity and logistics designed to pinpoint long-standing bottlenecks dragging down intra-Caribbean trade and transportation links. In opening remarks at the meeting, Isaac Solomon, CDB Vice-President for Operations, emphasized that the scale of the Caribbean’s challenges far outstrips the capacity of any single development institution to address alone. He framed the joint Action Plan as a critical force multiplier for development impact: by aligning strategic priorities, pooling specialized technical expertise, and coordinating development financing, the two institutions can close gaps in project delivery, deliver results faster and more efficiently, and deliver tangible, transformative improvements for Caribbean communities.

    Leaders from both institutions outlined a host of expected benefits that will flow from the coordinated plan. The framework is projected to unlock new co-financing opportunities for high-priority regional projects, expand access to low-cost concessional funding for government initiatives, and strengthen the technical and operational capacity of national governing bodies across the Caribbean. Ultimately, officials project these gains will translate to more robust modern infrastructure, upgraded public services, and broadly improved living standards for residents across the region. During working sessions, attendees centered discussion on the unique, disproportionate vulnerabilities that define Small Island Developing States (SIDS) across the Caribbean, reaching a formal agreement to align their respective development programs more closely to cut down on redundant efforts and maximize the impact of every dollar invested. The meeting also included in-depth reviews of ongoing collaborative projects, brainstorming on new areas for joint action, and reassessment of development priorities that have been identified directly by Caribbean national governments.

    To keep implementation on track, senior leaders from both banks agreed to new cross-institutional coordination mechanisms, set clear measurable operational targets, and established a semi-annual reporting schedule to formally monitor progress and adjust tactics as needed. Lilia Burunciuc, the World Bank’s Country Director for the Caribbean, noted that the deepened partnership reflects a shared, long-term commitment to advancing sustainable regional prosperity. “The Caribbean has enormous untapped potential, and our collaboration with CDB is central to how both organizations support the realization of the region’s development goals,” Burunciuc said. “Together, we can help governments build more resilient economies, invest in their people, and seize greater global opportunities. This partnership is a shared commitment to a more prosperous and sustainable region.”

    As a final step to formalize the rollout, attendees approved the creation of a dedicated joint working group that will take day-to-day oversight of Action Plan implementation. Over the coming months, the partnership will conduct additional targeted consultations with regional governments, local implementing agencies, and other community and private sector stakeholders to refine project plans and ensure priorities align with local needs. The new initiative also aligns closely with CDB’s newly launched 10-Year Strategic Plan spanning 2026 to 2035, titled “Transforming the Caribbean for Resilience,” which identifies deepened strategic partnerships with leading international development institutions as a core pillar to advance social, economic, and environmental resilience across the entire Caribbean region.

  • United Workers Party (UWP) lists 10 Point Plan for Dominica

    United Workers Party (UWP) lists 10 Point Plan for Dominica

    As the main opposition political force in Dominica, the United Workers Party (UWP) has launched a comprehensive 10-point policy roadmap, laying out the party’s full vision for the island nation’s long-term growth under the unifying slogan “A Better Future Together”. Led by UWP political head Dr. Thomson Fontaine, the plan addresses nearly every core sector of national life, from economic expansion and governance reform to public services and environmental stewardship, with the overarching goal of delivering inclusive progress and expanded opportunity for all Dominican citizens.

    At the center of the UWP’s policy framework is job creation and sustained economic growth. The party identifies five key engines for employment: tourism, agriculture, construction, technology, and small and medium-sized local enterprises. To nurture new business ventures, the plan proposes targeted support for entrepreneurs including government grants, low-interest lending products, and formal business skills training programs. It also frames foreign direct investment as a critical growth driver, while committing to robust protections to ensure local businesses can compete and thrive alongside international entrants to the market.

    Agriculture, a longstanding pillar of Dominica’s economy, receives targeted attention in the plan. The UWP has proposed sweeping modernization investments for the sector, including upgraded farm access roads, expanded irrigation networks, new temperature-controlled storage infrastructure, and improved connections to regional and global export markets. The party also pledged to increase both financial grants and technical guidance for local farmers and artisanal fishermen, to boost productivity and income for rural workers.

    For the tourism sector, another major contributor to national GDP, the UWP outlines a strategy to diversify Dominica’s tourism offerings by expanding high-potential niche segments: eco-tourism, community-led village tourism, cultural tourism, and cruise ship tourism. Key proposed initiatives include infrastructure upgrades to popular tourism sites, public beaches, access roads, and community-owned attractions, alongside expanded vocational training for young people seeking to enter the hospitality and tourism services industry.

    Healthcare reform also features prominently in the 10-point plan. The UWP commits to upgrading medical infrastructure across the entire island, from main urban hospitals to rural community clinics and national emergency response systems. Additional priorities include expanding access to affordable prescription medication, increasing the range of specialized in-country healthcare services, boosting staffing levels at all public medical facilities, and replacing outdated medical equipment with modern technology.

    Investment in education and youth development marks another core pillar of the UWP’s vision. The plan promises expanded scholarship opportunities for Dominican students, expanded vocational and trade skills training programs, upgrades to aging school infrastructure, and broader access to digital learning tools for students across the country. It also includes dedicated support for youth-led entrepreneurship, and expanded investment in youth sports, music, and cultural programming.

    Infrastructure and affordable housing are highlighted as urgent near-term priorities. The UWP plans to invest in critical public works including rehabilitation of roads and bridges, upgrades to national drainage systems, and improvements to core public utilities. It also commits to building new affordable, climate-resilient housing for low- and middle-income families, and strengthening national disaster preparedness systems to reduce the impact of extreme weather events, a key concern for small island developing states like Dominica.

    Transparency and governance reform are central to the UWP’s pledge to rebuild public trust in government. The party has committed to strengthening accountability for public spending, enacting stricter anti-corruption measures, and guaranteeing equal access to government opportunities and services for all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation or connections.

    To address public safety concerns, the plan calls for increased resourcing for law enforcement agencies, expanded community policing initiatives, and greater investment in youth and community programs that target the root causes of crime and violence. It also proposes upgrades to public recreational facilities and community centers across the country, to expand safe public gathering spaces for residents.

    On environmental action and energy policy, the UWP has pledged to scale up renewable energy development to cut household electricity costs, while prioritizing the protection of Dominica’s natural heritage. The plan includes specific commitments to preserve the nation’s rivers, forests, beaches, and marine ecosystems, and frames sustainable development and enhanced climate resilience as top national priorities.

    The 10-point plan closes with a focus on national unity and engagement with the Dominican diaspora. The UWP aims to foster greater participation from Dominicans living abroad in the nation’s development, encouraging diaspora investment and deeper collaboration on national growth initiatives. Overall, the party frames the plan as a blueprint for a people-centered government, built on the core values of progress and equal opportunity for every Dominican citizen.

  • 2026 UWI Games return with official opening last week

    2026 UWI Games return with official opening last week

    After a years-long pause, one of the Caribbean’s most anticipated regional inter-university sporting competitions has made its official comeback. The 32nd edition of the UWI Games, held under the unifying theme “Reunited, Reignited, Ready,” opened its gates on Friday, May 22 at The University of the West Indies’ St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago, drawing more than 600 student-athletes from across the institution’s global network of campuses.

    The opening ceremony blended longstanding tradition with vibrant Caribbean cultural celebration, kicking off eight days of competitive action and community connection. The event kicked off with a lively parade of participating campus teams, where athletes marched into the venue proudly bearing their campus colors, while cheering supporters filled the space with rhythmic music, energetic dancing, and enthusiastic chants that set an electric tone for the games. Hosted by the St. Augustine Campus, the ceremony also featured curated cultural performances arranged by the campus’ Department of Creative and Festival Arts, which showcased the rich diversity of Caribbean musical talent, artistic creativity, and centuries-old regional heritage. Following parade and performances, the ceremony culminated in the traditional torch lighting, with Vice-Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles formally declaring the games open by unveiling the UWI Challenge Trophy.

    The feature address at the ceremony was delivered by Jehue Gordon, a UWI alumnus, World Championship gold medalist, and former Olympic finalist, who drew on his own experience balancing elite athletic training with rigorous academic coursework during his time at the university. Gordon shared the unique challenges student-athletes face, recalling the grind of leaving exhausted from lecture halls still heading to hours of training, chasing athletic greatness while navigating the demands of university life. He emphasized that the value of the university experience extends far beyond a degree, noting that UWI gave him a formative environment to build character, lasting relationships, self-discipline, and a broader global perspective, and provided a supportive community that believed in his potential long before the international sporting world knew his name. He encouraged all competing student-athletes to leverage their participation in the games as a pathway to building core life skills including discipline, leadership, and resilience.

    Vice-Chancellor Beckles framed the return of the UWI Games as a clear demonstration of the institution’s enduring commitment to integrating student development through both academics and athletics. This year’s games coincide with the 10th anniversary of UWI’s Faculty of Sport, a milestone that Beckles highlighted as a transformative shift for student-athletes: “Students, you no longer have to choose between being an athlete and an academic.”

    The 2026 games also mark two historic firsts for the regional competition: this is the first time the relatively new UWI Five Islands Campus will field a team, and the Global Campus is sending its largest delegation in the history of the event. Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, Derek Chadee, Acting Campus Principal of St. Augustine and chair of both the local and regional organizing committees, welcomed all participants and emphasized that this year’s event is more than a simple resumption of the competition after years of disruption—it is a full renewal of a beloved regional tradition. Chadee also recognized the tireless work of organizers, coaches, support staff, and athletes themselves who worked to preserve the Caribbean’s legacy of sporting excellence through the games.

    Additional remarks were delivered by Dr. Roy McCree, Ronson Hackshaw, and Vedanand Hargobin, who spoke on behalf of UWI’s student leadership body. Hargobin stressed that the return of the games fills a critical gap in student life across the entire UWI system, noting that the most meaningful takeaways from the event will extend far beyond medal counts and final scores. “The memories created here will not only be about medals and scores. They will be about friendships, pride, laughter, rivalry and the feeling of being part of one Caribbean university,” he remarked.

    Over the eight days of competition, athletes will vie for top honors across ten distinct sporting disciplines: cricket, football, basketball, lawn tennis, swimming, table tennis, hockey, volleyball, track and field, and netball. Beyond competitive play, the 2026 games also integrate a community outreach component: on May 26, student-athletes hosted a sports clinic for children at a local children’s home, designed to provide mentorship, fundamental sports skills development, and positive intergenerational connection between UWI athletes and young community members.

    For fans unable to attend in person, all competition action is being streamed live via UWItv digital platforms, and entry to all in-person events remains completely free for UWI students, staff, alumni, and members of the general public to ensure broad access to the regional celebration.

  • PRESS RELEASE: OECS launches second call for proposals for window 2 of the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme

    PRESS RELEASE: OECS launches second call for proposals for window 2 of the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme

    The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has opened a second round of funding applications for Window 2 of its regional micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) matching grants program, rolling out new collaborative growth opportunities for the blue economy across three Eastern Caribbean nations: Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

    Officially launched via a virtual event on May 22, 2026, this funding window is specifically tailored to support registered Value Chain Groups operating in three core blue economy sectors: fisheries, coastal tourism, and waste management. Eligible groups can access grants between $100,000 and $150,000 to scale operations, boost productivity, embed more sustainable practices, and expand inclusive economic opportunity across the region’s blue economy.

    The initiative is implemented as part of the broader Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) project, and builds on the proven success of Window 1, which has already delivered tangible improvements to the operations and livelihoods of individual MSMEs across the OECS region.

    Kyle Garnes, senior grants advisor at UBEC/OECS, emphasized that collective collaboration between small businesses is the cornerstone of the program’s design. “Value Chain Groups are central to the success of the OECS Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme because they empower MSMEs to collaborate, strengthen market linkages, and create greater value across the OECS Blue Economy,” Garnes explained. “By working together, MSMEs can improve competitiveness, build resilience, and unlock sustainable growth opportunities that no single enterprise could achieve alone. Collaboration is how we transform individual MSMEs into stronger, more connected blue economy ecosystems.”

    For context, a Value Chain Group is defined as a coalition of three or more MSMEs operating within the same industry that partner to strengthen product offerings, improve service delivery, and expand access to regional and global markets. Practical examples include a fisher partnering with a seafood processor and a local restaurant or export business, a waste collection team joining forces with a recycler and a manufacturing firm that uses recycled inputs, or a coastal tour operator collaborating with a local boat captain and small accommodation provider to elevate visitor experiences and expand market reach.

    Program organizers are urging eligible groups to begin preparing their applications without delay, noting that the funding has the potential to drive measurable business expansion, create new local jobs, and strengthen household livelihoods across target communities. Early participants from Window 1 have already shared tangible success stories from their grant support.

    Kasha Ragbersingh, managing director of Glamping Grenada, a coastal tourism enterprise that received Window 1 funding, explained how the grant transformed her business’s sustainability efforts. “We operate in a very harsh environment and water conservation is a very important part of our operations,” Ragbersingh said. “The grant has allowed us to add capacity for an additional 2000 gallons of water – and it’s not just any water, we are literally harvesting rain water. This will allow us to service our pool and our garden area without putting extra strain on the public water system.”

    Cenus Hinds, co-owner of Cariway, a kayaking and paddle board tourism business based in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, reported similar benefits. Hinds noted that his small business lacked key safety infrastructure before receiving the grant: “One of the things that we did not have before is a support vessel that would follow the kayaks along or would follow the paddle boards, but when we got the grant that was one of the major things we wanted. The grant enabled us to get a 14 foot dingy and we were able to get an electric engine,” he said.

    To qualify for Window 2 funding, applicant groups must meet a clear set of eligibility requirements. All groups must be legally registered and actively operating in one of the three eligible countries, structured as a Value Chain Group with a minimum of three member MSMEs, and active in the fisheries, coastal tourism, or waste management sectors. Additional requirements include official business registration documentation, a minimum two-year operating track record supported by two years of financial or bank statements, fewer than 50 total employees across the group, combined annual revenue below $1 million, a demonstrated commitment to growth, innovation, sustainability and job creation, verifiable market demand for their offerings, and no business activities that cause significant environmental harm.

    Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria including alignment with program goals, innovative approaches, potential for scalability, long-term environmental and social sustainability, positive environmental impact, and projected benefits to the regional MSME sector.

    The OECS Commission is specifically encouraging participation from a diverse range of stakeholders, including independent entrepreneurs, cooperative groups, women-led businesses, youth-led ventures, and emerging blue economy innovators, to take advantage of the opportunity to build stronger regional collaboration through value chain partnerships.

    Full details on the second call for proposals, application guidelines, and submission instructions are available on the official Window 2 Matching Grants webpage at https://bit.ly/4dh0ZX9. General inquiries can be sent to [email protected], and completed applications should be submitted to [email protected].

  • THE KWAK: Manicous against discrimination disgusted over electricity price confusion and power outages

    THE KWAK: Manicous against discrimination disgusted over electricity price confusion and power outages

    Dominica’s ongoing public debate over pending electricity price cuts following the rollout of new geothermal energy infrastructure has become the backdrop for a sharp, satirical take on systemic political missteps and long-simmering social grievances, penned by satirical outlet THE Kwak. The piece centers on a fictional feud between two competing advocacy groups claiming to represent the so-called “Manicou people”, sparked by the recent death of Peele Manicou, a figure depicted in a viral photo moments before his passing.

    Residents across Dominica have grown increasingly impatient for answers about when the long-promised reduction in electricity costs will actually take effect after the introduction of geothermal power. Even at a recent official press conference where government representatives confirmed the future price cut, they failed to provide a clear timeline for the change. Compounding public frustration, unplanned outages continue to plague the island’s power grid despite repeated public claims that the outages are caused by manicous — wild opossums that are often blamed for tampering with power infrastructure.

    Into this public confusion steps Key Manicou, the brother of the deceased Peele Manicou and founder of the newly formed group *Manicous Against Discrimination (MAD)*. In a public statement, Key voiced outrage over both the ongoing stigma against Manicou people and the government’s mishandling of the country’s power crisis. “It has already been more than a year since my brother’s sudden death, and we still have not seen justice,” Key said. “What has been even more hurtful is the endless insensitive, cruel jokes made about Peele in the days immediately after his passing. Now, the same old pattern of unaddressed power outages and government incompetence has pushed me to speak up again for the dignity of all Manicou people. We are not the scapegoat for Dominica’s power failures, and it is long past time that this truth was acknowledged publicly.”

    Key also called attention to a deeper, systemic injustice: Manicou people are still not recognized as full citizens under Dominica’s constitution, barring them from even basic rights like voting. “That is the real power issue that no one in government is talking about,” he added. “Once the government ends discrimination against our community and delivers justice for my brother, I can return to full-time advocacy for our rights. Until then, this fight will not end.”

    Not all voices within the fictional Manicou community back Key’s stance, however. Chelsea Manicou, Peele Manicou’s widow and founder of a rival group *Manicous Advocating DOMLEC Emphatically (MADE)*, has publicly pushed back against Key’s claims. “Whatever Key says, I stand against it,” she explained in her response. “I am Peele’s widow, left to raise three young children alone on my own, and you don’t see me out here stirring up controversy. I loved my husband, but he and his brother have always been overly confrontational. How else do you explain my husband sacrificing himself inside a power plant in the name of environmental protest, leaving our family behind? Now I have had to take a job with the national power utility DOMLEC to make ends meet, and they have been nothing but supportive to me.”

    The piece closes with a clear disclaimer from its creator, THE Kwak, emphasizing that the entire story is an intentional work of satire. The outlet notes that it uses absurd, silly humor to gently mock public affairs and social discourse, and that the content should not be interpreted as factual. “THE KWAK is not meant to be taken seriously,” the disclaimer reads. “If you do take it seriously, I have some recently electrocuted manicou meat I can sell you. Sorry, ‘manicou people’ meat.”

  • DCOA president calls for elderly-friendly building designs and greater respect for seniors

    DCOA president calls for elderly-friendly building designs and greater respect for seniors

    At the 30th Annual General Meeting of the Dominica Council on Aging (DCOA), held recently at the Goodwill Parish Hall, organization president Nigel Lawrence has issued a urgent call for meaningful inclusion of senior citizens in all stages of construction and urban development across the Caribbean nation.

    Lawrence emphasized that consultation with elderly residents and aging advocacy groups must become a non-negotiable prerequisite for any new development project, regardless of whether it is led by the public government sector or private developers. He pointed to widespread accessibility gaps in new commercial and residential infrastructure across the country, noting that many newly built businesses still lack basic accommodations for older people, from wheelchair ramps and handrails for staircases to elevators in multi-story structures.

    “In this modern era, we cannot accept a three-story building constructed without any accessibility provisions for older adults,” Lawrence argued. He explained that advancing age brings common physical challenges, including reduced joint mobility from drying synovial fluid and chronic rheumatism, that make climbing dozens of stairs to reach upper floors an insurmountable barrier for many seniors. “These design oversights are completely unacceptable, and they exclude thousands of older Dominicans from participating fully in public and economic life,” he added.

    Beyond built infrastructure, Lawrence also called for targeted training for public bus drivers across Dominica to improve services for elderly passengers and residents. He highlighted that excessively loud music played on public vehicles poses measurable health risks to older people, whether they are riding the bus or living adjacent to frequent bus stops. Addressing both accessibility gaps and public service shortcomings, he stressed, is essential if Dominica hopes to achieve its goal of becoming a truly age-friendly nation.

    In accompanying remarks to meeting attendees, Cassandra Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, echoed calls for greater prioritization of older Dominicans, extending the conversation to intergenerational connection. Williams noted that rapid social change has led to growing distance between younger and older generations, even among families living in the same communities. She argued that intentional effort is needed to create spaces that bring together the decades of accumulated wisdom held by seniors with the curiosity and energy of young people.

    Williams issued a direct call to action for young Dominicans to invest time in their older family members and community members. “Sit with your grandparents and great-grandparents, ask them about their lives, listen to their stories of love, resilience, and survival through hardships that many of us cannot imagine today,” she said. “We have so much to learn from the experiences of those who built our communities before us.”