JSIF Grant Provides Boost For Owners Of Community Enterprises

Shane Constable from Greenwich Town in Kingston is grateful for the grant support provided by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), which enabled him to acquire a freezer and water tank for his fledgling goat-rearing enterprise.

Mr. Constable, who has a daughter, indicated that he started out with one goat, with a view to expanding his livestock inventory, but faced some challenges that delayed his growth plans.

He shared that a friend with whom he discussed the venture introduced him to a JSIF representative, who indicated that he could be considered for assistance under the Integrated Community Development Project Phase II (ICDP II).

“So JSIF… helped me out with [the freezer] and [water] tank [and gave me a] nice start. So, where I’m at now is I’d love to extend with the [addition of] more goats [soon] to see if my business can take off the right way,” Mr. Constable said.

“I do a little construction work to try and make some extra money, so that I can acquire more goats to build up the business, but I have to thank JSIF for the support that will go a far way in helping me to realise my goal,” he added.

Mr. Constable was among three beneficiaries under cycle one of the ICDP II Enterprise Development Grant Project who gave testimonials during the recent launch of the second cycle at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

The grant project, which started in 2020, is funded by the Government and implemented by JSIF.

It aims to build microenterprise capacity in the target communities, to create sustainable livelihoods and for income generation.

This is consistent with the Government’s policy to provide economic support to these entities to facilitate their contribution to Jamaica’s growth.

Recipients under cycle one of the grant project were drawn from seven communities – August Town, Denham Town and Greenwich Town in Kingston and St. Andrew; Treadlight in Clarendon; and Anchovy, Mount Salem and Salt Spring in St. James.

The programmed provisions, which were deployed by JSIF with a budget of $20 million included equipment and supplies and business development support, based on needs assessments and enterprise development plans.

Focus areas under the business development support component included marketing and sales, financial and records management, and customer service.

Ian Brown, a photographer from Denham Town, said JSIF assisted him to acquire camera equipment.

His business, Ian Brown Photography, started in 2018 and is a growing name in the multimedia industry.

Mr. Brown’s services have been used by several established businesses and educational institutions and incorporates birthdays and wedding shoots.

“I’m really thankful to JSIF for granting me a camera. What it will help me to do is improve the quality of my work, so I’m really grateful,” he added.

Stephaney Jackson of August Town, who has been doing moulding and pottery design since 2014, shared that she was selected for support following JSIF’S outreach to identify potential beneficiaries.

“I mould fancy columns and flowerpots, among other things. I used to work on [construction] sites where I’d see the workmen making these items, which fascinated me. I used to watch them, and I learned from them. So that’s how I started out in this business,” she informed.

Ms. Jackson said she was grateful for the support extended by JSIF, noting that “they helped me a lot, so I have to give thanks to them”.

 

JSIF’s Senior Manager for Social Development, Mona Sue Ho, said 515 applications were received from the initial seven communities under cycle one, of which 115 grant support provisions were disbursed.

She indicated that the number of applications submitted has increased significantly to more than 730 under cycle two, while noting that the number of communities increased to eight with the addition of Norwood in St. James.

The budgetary support also increased to $50 million, which will be channelled to 232 microenterprises.

Mrs. Sue Ho explained that the initiative is designed to not only support the business enterprises but also assist personal development.

“So, activities were geared towards encouraging and enabling [beneficiaries], enhancing what they have, enriching and, of course, energising them to continue to do well,” she said.

Mrs. Sue Ho pointed out that a corporate social responsibility (CSR) component was added under cycle two, “for [the beneficiaries] to recognise that [they] have an obligation to themselves, to the community, [and] to the Government”.

“So, within the enterprises, we are looking at how they can support their employees and their families, and these could be things like having fun days or dinners. Importantly, as well, is the issue of connecting the enterprises to charitable activities and projects in the communities, as also community events,” she outlined.

Mrs. Sue Ho said the initiative also incorporates partnerships with key State entities and local organisations with whom JSIF has collaborated while doing the groundwork to identify potential beneficiaries.

These include the Ministry of Health and Wellness, HEART/NSTA Trust, Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ), Social Development Commission (SDC), Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and community-based organisations.

In terms of sustainability, Mrs. Sue Ho said the focus is on formalising engagements, where this is not the case; ongoing monitoring to ensure businesses remain in operation; and mentorship.

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, who addressed the event, said that implementation of the grant project is expected to have a positive influence within the target communities, especially those that had been declared Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) due to high levels of crime.

“Enterprise will replace unemployment and, as research indicates, the level of criminal activity will be reduced as increasing numbers of residents become more gainfully employed,” he noted.

In his remarks, JSIF’s Managing Director, Omar Sweeney, noted that the grant support provided under ICDP II is helping to generate sustainable livelihoods in the beneficiary communities.

“They are not asking for handouts [or] for the Government or private sector to constantly… help them. What they want is the ability to earn for themselves… [to make] an honest living… something they can use to better their lives,” he pointed out.

The ICDP II Enterprise Development Grant Project supports the Government’s thrust to invest in micro and small enterprises as an avenue to bolster employment creation, revenue generation, and contribute to overall national economic growth.

The initiative has been pivotal in assisting persons in vulnerable communities, particularly those impacted by violence.

Implementation of cycle two is timely, in light of the economic fallout resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.