Million Dollar Investment for Communities
EPIC
Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago – December 3, 2025: The Digicel Foundation and Shell Trinidad and Tobago have officially unveiled the 2025 cohort of EPIC (Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities) partners and their community initiatives. The partnership will see TT$1 million invested into sustainable community development projects over the next three months.
The 2025 call for applications focused on projects in three thematic areas critical to national development: Sport for Development, Technology & Digitalisation, and Environmental Sustainability. The programme received an impressive 109 applications, from which 20 organisations were shortlisted to present their project pitches to a panel of judges. Ultimately, 10 non-profit organisations were selected to receive TT$100,000 each in funding to implement their initiatives.
The 2025 EPIC partners are:
● SEWA International TT
● Scouts Association of Trinidad and Tobago
● Sapphire Miriam Foundation
● Barataria Anglican School
● Sisters Uplifting Sisters
● Bovell Cancer Diabetes Foundation
● ChildLine
● Fyzabad United Football Club
● Southern Muslim Institute of Learning and Enrichment (SMILE)
● Chest and Heart Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Speaking at the announcement event held at the Hyatt Regency on December 3rd, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag) in the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, Martel Waldron, expressed strong support for EPIC’s partnership model, which he noted “strengthens communities from within.” He added, “The Ministry takes note of how this programme aligns beautifully with our national mandate to build stronger communities, empower NGOs and support sustainable development. Community development is not something the Government does for the people; it is something we do with the people.”
Earlier this year, Digicel Foundation and Shell Trinidad and Tobago entered into a landmark three-year partnership to jointly fund the EPIC programme, representing a combined investment of TT$3.8 million.
“For decades, Shell has worked hand-in-hand with communities across Trinidad and Tobago, and EPIC embodies the kind of long-term, sustainable growth we are proud to champion. What makes EPIC truly remarkable is the sense of possibility it ignites—hope that real change is possible, that no idea is too small and that impact is never limited by age, background or experience,” shared Shaista Ali, Managing Counsel LNG and Head of Legal for Trinidad and Tobago, Latin America and the Caribbean at Shell.
Digicel Foundation Board Chair, Desha Clifford, emphasised, “At the Digicel Foundation, our purpose has always been clear: to support the people and communities who are the backbone of Trinidad and Tobago; to show up where we are needed most. Today, EPIC stands as one of our flagship programmes—one that reflects our commitment to building stronger, more sustainable and connected communities.”
Since its inception, the EPIC programme has supported 160 projects across Trinidad and Tobago, positively impacting more than 88,000 people. This represents a significant TT$56 million investment in long-term, sustainable community development.