Innovation Grants for Persons with Disabilities deliver Business Growth

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – 18th August 2026 – Six months after receiving funding through the Digicel Foundation and UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (UNDP GEF-SGP), Innovation Challenge for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) grant recipients are already reporting significant gains in accessibility, employment and business growth. 

The Healing with Horses Foundation has recorded a 60% increase in visits following accessibility upgrades, including wheelchair-friendly pathways and sensory trails, at its Magic Park location in Tobago. Joe Brien Media has doubled its audience reach while growing revenue by 33%, and Lady Hochoy Gasparillo has employed five past students of its vocational programme, securing meaningful employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. 

The funding and support provided to these organisations through the Innovation Challenge for Persons with Disabilities is having a clear and measurable impact. These outcomes were highlighted during an After Action Review (AAR) hosted by the Digicel Foundation at its headquarters on Maraval Road, where the programme's six grantees came together to evaluate their projects, share lessons learned and identify opportunities to strengthen future initiatives.

"The After Action Review allowed me to share solutions and learn from the experiences of other grantees. Although our projects were different, we all found unique ways to overcome challenges,” shared Joe Brien, owner of Joe Brien Media. The grant funding allowed Brien, a well-known media personality and disability advocate, to scale his media business.

Launched in 2025 by the Digicel Foundation and UNDP GEF-SGP, the Innovation Challenge for Persons with Disabilities grant programme supports persons with disabilities and organisations serving the disability community to develop sustainable, income-generating ventures. The insights gathered during the review will help the Digicel Foundation shape future programmes while building greater opportunities for entrepreneurship, inclusion and economic independence.