Sixty-seven (67) applicants across the fourteen (14) municipal regions today received Sowing Empowerment through Entrepreneurial Development Programme (SEED) grants during a brief distribution ceremony at the Government Plaza Auditorium, Richmond Street, Port of Spain at 9:00 a.m.
This distribution of SEED grants follows a training workshop which was hosted in collaboration with the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, where applicants were exposed to highly interactive and intensive sessions focused on financial management, marketing and customer service; as well as the development of responsible behavioural and attitudinal skills for the entrepreneur.
The Minister of Social Development and Family Services, the Honourable Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, distributed certificates of achievement and grant funding to the recipients. Following the distribution, the Minister stated that in total, the Ministry invested approximately One Million Dollars (TT$1M) worth of SEED Grants to the participants who will be pursuing businesses ranging from Agriculture, Sewing, Cosmetology, Catering and Mini Marts.
Financial Services Ombudsman at the Central Bank Dominic Stoddard indicated that the Central Bank stands ready for a continued partnership with the Ministry for the training component of the SEED Programme and he encouraged the graduates to be persistent in their pursuits.
Director of the Ministry’s National Social Development Programme(NSDP), Patricia De Leon-Henry, during her welcome remarks indicated that the Ministry was happy to partner with the Central Bank and pledged the NSDP’s continued support to the beneficiaries.
SEED recipient, Ursilla Mark-Kelly from Arima expressed gratitude on behalf of herself and the beneficiaries.
BACKGROUND ON SEED
About SEED - The Sowing Empowerment through Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) Programme which is managed under the national Social Development Programme of the Ministry, transforms the lives of beneficiaries through the provision of equipment, specialized training, to initiate or expand a micro enterprise. The grant is valued at up to 15,000.00TTD. Using this competitive/egalitarian welfare to work approach, it is envisaged that these tools will be used to give vulnerable persons a source of income to sustain themselves and their families.
Training is provided in the following areas:
(a) Cash Management
(b) Record Keeping
(c) Customer Service Excellence
(d) Marketing and
(e) Costing and Pricing