Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States OECS

🌿 T.A. Marryshow Community College Wins Recycle OECS Debate Finals! 🏆🎤The battle for environmental solutions was fierce as T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) of Grenada faced off against Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) of Saint Lucia in the Recycle OECS Windward Islands Inter-College Debate Finals! 🔥 The Debate Topic: Does responsible consumption trump recycling systems in reducing plastic pollution? 💡 SALCC’s Argument: ✅ Recycling alone cannot effectively curb pollution ✅ The OECS’ small economies make large-scale recycling unsustainable ✅ Developing countries unfairly bear the burden while plastic producers face little accountability ♻️ TAMCC’s Counterargument: ✅ Controlling consumption alone is impractical ✅ Improved recycling systems have been proven effective ✅ A dual approach (responsible consumption + recycling) is the way forward 🏅 The Results: 🥇 TAMCC claimed victory! (1042 points to 1025) 🎙 Best Speaker: Shyne Savoury (SALCC) Chamberlain Emmanuel, OECS Head of Environment & Sustainability: "This debate series is designed to explore the perspective of our youth on these pillars and to help mobilise and advocate for the transformation. We anticipate that this exchange of ideas will influence the refining of the model and will influence you, your peers and your policy makers and the wider community to be responsible stewards and innovative change makers” 👏 Huge congratulations to all participants for their inspiring contributions! This debate series, supported by Unicomer Saint Lucia, proves that our youth are leading the charge for a greener, more sustainable future. 🌎💙 #RecycleOECS #YouthDebate #Sustainability #BlueEconomy #PlasticPollution #OECS#SALCC#TAMCC#SaintLucia#Grenada

🚨 Attention Fisheries MSMEs! Grant Opportunity Alert! 🚨 The Window 2 Call for Proposals for the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme is NOW OPEN! 🎉 If you're part of a Value Chain Group in the fisheries industry in Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, or Saint Lucia, this is your chance to secure funding to grow your business! 💰 Who Can Apply? Eligible businesses include: 🐟 Fish processing & packaging enterprises 🦞 Seafood distribution companies 🚤 Boat repair & maintenance services 🧊 Ice production for fish preservation 🦑 Sustainable fishing operations 🍽️ Restaurants specializing in local seafood 📌 What is a Value Chain Group? A Value Chain Group is a network of businesses that work together at different stages of production, from catching fish to processing, packaging, and selling seafood products. If your business plays a role in this chain, this grant could be for you! 📅 Deadline: March 19, 2025, at 11:59 PM 🔗 Apply Now: https://shorturl.at/FNRW0 For more information, visit www.oecs.int or email ubecgrant@oecs.int. Don't miss out on this opportunity to boost your fisheries business! 🌊🐠 #OECS#UBEC #FisheriesMSMEs #BlueEconomy #MSMEGrants

🚨 CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – EXTENDED DEADLINE! 🚨 The OECS Commission is seeking qualified consulting firms to develop a Regional Strategy to Reduce Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing under the World Bank-funded UBEC Project. 🌊 Why is this important? IUU fishing threatens marine biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods across the Eastern Caribbean. This strategy will help strengthen policies, enforcement, and regional cooperation to protect our oceans and support sustainable fisheries. 📢 Consultancy Scope: ✅ Assess current policies & gaps in combating IUU fishing ✅ Develop a comprehensive OECS Regional Strategy ✅ Create a costed 5-year action plan for implementation 📅 Submission Deadline: February 28, 2025 📩 Send EOIs to: procurementbids@oecs.int (cc: susanna.dscott@oecs.int) 📄 Subject Line: Expression of Interest – Consulting Services to Develop a Regional Strategy to Reduce IUU Fishing 📌 Full details available at: www.oecs.org Help us build a sustainable future for fisheries in the OECS! 🌍🐟 #OECS #BlueEconomy #SustainableFisheries #IUUFishing #MarineConservation #UBEC

⚖️ The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court shares this special interview, entitled "A Conversation with the Chief Justice" which features His Lordship, the Hon. Mario Michel where he discusses the Court's structure. 🔗 Read more at https://ow.ly/sraL50V76nx and 📽️ view the interview at https://ow.ly/K3yR50V76ny

Recycling OECS 70 times our weight ♻️ Did You Know? ♻️ The average person generates up to 70 times their weight in waste—that’s over 10,000 pounds of plastic in a lifetime! 😲 Now, imagine that multiplied across every OECS island… More than a billion pounds of plastic waste! 🌍💔 Without reuse, repurposing, or recycling, this plastic ends up in our landfills, oceans, and communities. But YOU can be part of the solution! ✅ Separate plastic waste for easy recycling ♻️ ✅ Transport plastics to a facility that reuses or repurposes them 🚛 ✅ Choose to recycle and protect our islands for future generations 🌱 Every action counts—let’s keep our OECS clean and green! Watch our PSA to learn more. 📽️💚 #RecycleOECS #PlasticFreeFuture #ReduceReuseRecycle #KeepTheCaribbeanClean

🔍 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗲? 𝗡𝗼𝘄’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲! 📢 As part of the VIES – Caraïbes program, supported by INTERREG-Caraïbes, France Volontaires Antilles and the Guadeloupe Region are offering 2️⃣ International Volunteering missions. These initiatives promote international solidarity and youth engagement in the Caribbean. 🌿🌊 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭: 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗣 𝗜𝗜 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 (𝟭𝟮 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀) Assist the Guadeloupe Region in coordinating efforts to combat sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean. Support governance, data-sharing, and training initiatives. 🔗 Mission details: https://bit.ly/4i9Hf9r 🌍🤝 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮: 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗗𝗚𝘀, 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝟲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀) – a reciprocal* International Civic Service with Karib Horizon Promote global citizenship and sustainable development through educational workshops, awareness campaigns, and community engagement. 🔗 Mission details: https://bit.ly/4ifshOv 📍 Location: Guadeloupe ⏳ Application Deadline: March 9, 2025 📅 Pre-departure Training: April 24, 2025 📩 Applications must be submitted in French to: antilles@france-volontaires.org [See French versions in the comments] #OECS #VolunteeringOpportunity #VIESCaraïbes

🌊💼 Attention MSMEs in the Blue Economy! 💼🌊 Join us for the next Virtual Information Session on the Window 2 Call for Proposals under the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme! 📢 This session will help you understand the importance of value chain groups and how your business can benefit from up to USD 200,000 in grant funding! 💰 📅 Date: February 28, 2025 ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM 🔗 Join via Zoom: https://lnkd.in/eiuJBW7Z 🆔 Meeting ID: 889 2240 6992 🔑 Password: 933774 Why are Value Chains Important? Value chain groups collaborate to enhance productivity, increase market access, and drive sustainable business growth. Examples in the Blue Economy include: 🐟 Fisheries: Fishermen, seafood processors, and distributors working together to maximize efficiency and reduce waste. 🚢 Marine Tourism: Tour operators, dive shops, and small beachside hotels teaming up to enhance visitor experiences sustainably. ♻ Waste Management: Recycling businesses, plastic collectors, and manufacturing partners collaborating to create a circular economy. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how your MSME can access funding and thrive in the Blue Economy! 🚀To apply to the Window 2 Call for Proposals for the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme see below; Deadline: March 19, 2025, at 11:59 PM Apply Now: https://shorturl.at/FNRW0 #OECS#UBECMatchingGrants #BlueEconomy #MSMEFunding #SustainableGrowth #OECSDevelopment

🚜🌊 Here's an update on the Regional Workshop on the Role of Agricultural and Fisheries Censuses in Agriculture Development Planning and Food Security! 📊🌾 📅 Date: 25-27 February 2025 📍 Location: Bay Gardens Hotel 🔍 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ecFnxNyh 🌱💙 #Agriculture #Fisheries #FoodSecurity #DevelopmentPlanning #SustainableFuture #RegionalWorkshop

Recyle OECS Grenada ♻️🌊 Grenada is Setting the Trend in Recycling! 🌊♻️ Under the Recycle OECS project, Grenada is making big moves in waste management and recycling! 🇬🇩✨ By building a recycling culture, the island is turning plastic waste into opportunity—protecting the environment while creating new business ventures. 💡 Recycling isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about smart investment! Entrepreneurs and business owners across the OECS can tap into the growing potential of the recycling industry. 🌍 How can you be part of the change? ✅ Separate plastic waste for recycling ♻️ ✅ Support businesses using recycled materials 🏢 ✅ Find creative ways to turn plastic into profit 💰 Grenada is leading the way—will you join the movement? Watch our PSA to learn more! 📽️💚 #OECS#RecycleOECS #GrenadaLeads #SustainableFuture #PlasticToProfit #WasteToWealth

🌊✨ Marine Tourism MSMEs – Your Opportunity to Grow is Here! ✨🌊 The Window 2 Call for Proposals for the Regional MSME Matching Grants Programme is officially OPEN! 🚀 If you're part of a Value Chain Group in the marine tourism industry in Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, or Saint Lucia, this grant could help take your business to the next level! 💡 Who Can Apply? Eligible businesses include: 🏝️ Eco-friendly island tours & excursions 🐠 Snorkeling & scuba diving operators 🚤 Boat & yacht charter services 🦀 Sustainable seafood dining experiences 🌿 Marine conservation & eco-tourism initiatives 🎣 Fishing tourism & guided coastal experiences 📌 What is a Value Chain Group? A Value Chain Group in marine tourism includes businesses that work together to create seamless and sustainable visitor experiences—from tour operators and transportation providers to hospitality services and conservation efforts. If your business plays a role in delivering unforgettable marine adventures, this grant is for you! 📅 Deadline: March 19, 2025, at 11:59 PM 🔗 Apply Now: https://shorturl.at/FNRW0 For more information, visit www.oecs.int or email ubecgrant@oecs.int. Let’s build a thriving, sustainable marine tourism industry together! 🌎💙 #UBEC#MarineTourismMSMEs #BlueEconomy #EcoTourism #SustainableTravel #OECS #MSMEGrants