THE REEVALUATED PROGRAMME IS DESIGNED TO BREAK THE DEPENDENCY CYCLE AND ASSIST MOTHERS WHO HAVE FEASIBLE BUSINESS IDEAS.

Unemployed and vulnerable single mothers from various communities around the island can now benefit from effective business and micro-enterprise opportunities following a review and upgrade of the Micro Enterprise Assistance Programme, to allow for increased emphasis on single mothers.

A collaborative initiative of the James Belgrave Micro-Enterprise Development Fund (BELfund) and the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF), the programme, which targets single mothers was implemented in August 2022, is made possible through funding from the Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) and is being administered by the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF).

“This programme helps vulnerable individuals and households meet their basic needs and improve their circumstances,” said Project Coordinator Kenyal Wynne. “This year, we have collaborated with LUCELEC who donated EC$450,000 to the Social Investment Fund, a portion of which is being used to implement the programme in the north and south of the island, in collaboration with BELfund.”

With an allocation of EC$300,000 toward programme implementation and the availability of EC$10,000 interest free loans for business startup, the Single Mothers Micro Enterprise Assistance Programme is designed to break the dependency cycle and assist mothers who have feasible business ideas.

Wynne also underscored the significance of mentoring and training, provided by the programme, for individuals who have decided to enter the cottage industry. “The training encompasses activities that expose participants to the realities of the business environment and provides the required skills to develop and maintain sustainable businesses,” he explained.

Established in 2000, BELfund was created primarily to promote sustainable development through self-help micro-enterprise projects, by offering loans in all categories of business. The loans are classified as soft loans, with no interest attached.

To date, 42 applicants have been approved under the Single Mothers Micro Enterprise Assistance Programme to start new small businesses.