OECS Launches OYEP Small Grants Program to empower youth

CARIBBEAN--The Commission of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has officially launched the OECS Youth Empowerment Project Small Grants Program, a new initiative that will provide direct financial support to youth-led organizations and initiatives throughout the Eastern Caribbean.

Implemented by the Human and Social Division of the OECS Commission with financial support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the OECS OYEP Small Grants Program represents a major investment in youth leadership. It will provide young people with the resources needed to design and implement innovative community projects that address some of the region’s most pressing development challenges.

The program forms part of the wider OECS Youth Empowerment Project, which supports implementation of the OECS Youth Empowerment Strategy (YES). This regional framework seeks to empower young people across the nine English-speaking OECS Member States through meaningful participation, leadership and access to opportunities.

A total of fourteen grants valued at US$5,000 each will be awarded, creating an overall fund of US$70,000 to support youth-led initiatives that strengthen communities while advancing the priorities of the OECS Youth Empowerment Strategy. The grants will be disbursed and managed by UNICEF on behalf of the OECS Commission in accordance with UNICEF’s financial management and accountability standards.

Applications must align with one of four selected priority themes, each grounded in the pillars of the OECS Youth Empowerment Strategy and implemented in collaboration with the relevant technical division of the OECS Commission. To ensure balanced coverage across the priorities, a fixed number of grants has been allocated to each area. Full details are contained in the OYEP Small Grants Program Manual.

The overall priority areas of the YES strategy include:

• Education and Training, YES I LEARN
• Healthy Lifestyles, YES I MOVE
• Citizenship and Identity, YES I BELONG
• Child and Youth Protection, YES I MATTER
• Creativity and Culture, YES I EXPRESS
• Employment and Entrepreneurship, YES I EARN
• Environment and Sustainable Development, YES I INHERIT

Together, these themes reflect the OECS Commission’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people to develop solutions that improve daily life, strengthen communities and contribute to sustainable regional development.

The program is open to youth-led organizations, registered entities implementing youth-driven projects, and informal groups such as student councils and youth associations operating under the sponsorship of a recognized institution, including a school, university, religious organization or community group. Informal groups must apply with the written endorsement of the sponsoring institution.

Applicants must demonstrate that their initiatives are led by young people between the ages of 18 and 29 and directly benefit youth between the ages of 15 and 29 within the OECS.

Applications will be accepted until August 14, 2026. Submissions will then undergo an independent evaluation process based on published criteria, including relevance, innovation, feasibility, youth leadership, impact and value for money.

The OECS Commission strongly encourages youth organizations, student councils, National Youth Councils and other eligible groups throughout the region, including those in the French Member States of Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint-Martin, to use this opportunity to transform innovative ideas into projects that create lasting impact.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Program Manual before submitting their applications. Completed applications must be submitted by email to ohhsd@oecs.int.

‍