What if inclusion was only the beginning?

Every Investment Has a Story

In July 2025, the Digicel Foundation, in partnership with the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), launched the Innovation Challenge for Persons with Disabilities—one of the first initiatives of its kind in the Caribbean. The Challenge invests in business ideas led by or designed for persons with disabilities.

With more than 50,000 people—approximately 4% of Trinidad and Tobago’s population—living with disabilities, the Challenge attracted innovative ideas from across the country, showcasing the potential of persons with disabilities as entrepreneurs, innovators and agents of change.

Six grantees received up to TT$90,000 each to launch or scale ventures that promote inclusion, independence and social impact. Together, the Digicel Foundation and GEF SGP invested TT$600,000 in funding, mentorship and training to help turn these ideas into sustainable businesses.

Through the partnership with GEF SGP, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), grantees also received mentorship and capacity-building support focused on long-term success.

The six organisations and entrepreneurs selected were Cashew Gardens Community Council and Cristy Bhagwandeen; Joe Brien Media; New Beginnings Educational Centre; Healing with Horses; Kidspace Education Ltd.; and Lady Hochoy Gasparillo.

As UNDP Resident Representative Ugo Blanco noted: “Inclusion is not charity. It is a must; it is a right.”