The Governor’s Office recently awarded $30,000 in new grants to fund impactful youth empowerment initiatives across the Territory.
The initiative was funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), International Programme Fund which provides funding for Posts to run programmes and projects. The aim was to support projects benefitting 13 to 21-year-olds in alignment with sustainable development goals.
Three established local non-profits secured grants after submitting proposals to the Governor’s Office earlier this year. The selected projects aim to promote skills development, creative expression, mental health support, and inspiring programming for BVI youth.
One grant recipient, Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (MALE), will facilitate intensive mental health workshops tailored specifically for young men.
Their programming covers an array of relevant topics, including stress management, decision-making, conflict resolution, goal-setting, coping strategies, meditation, and more.
By participating in these comprehensive workshops, organizers believe young men will gain better self-awareness, interpersonal skills, aspirations, and healthy outlets to process challenging emotions.
The Road Town Boys and Girls Brigade also received funding to resurrect and expand their programs for BVI youth.
The organization aims to renew uniforms, websites, drilling and marching equipment, and special programming materials.
Participants gain opportunities to develop leadership abilities, engage with the community through service, and learn important life skills. The International Boys and Girls Brigade organization, active in over 60 countries, strives to nurture, empower, and positively impact young people.
Additionally, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College secured a grant to facilitate film production workshops for aspiring young creatives in the Territory.
Participants can explore diverse performance art forms, build practical media production skills, and foster collaborative teamwork habits. Organizers designed the program to open doors to global creative platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and film festivals.
Governor John Rankin met grant recipients on December 7th and expressed excitement over the projects’ immense potential to enrich and empower young lives in the BVI.
“I am delighted to announce today funding for three youth empowerment projects. I know these projects will benefit the lives of young people in the BVI. I am grateful for the very high calibre of applications we received and thank everyone involved”, he said.