COMMUNITY PROJECTS RECEIVE TT$1MILLION IN EPIC GRANTS
(L-R) Clint Khan, General Manager-Safety and Environment and Ryssa Brathwaite, Social Performance and Social Investment Advisor, Shell Trinidad and Tobago, with EPIC grant winners in the renewable energy category: Original Trinitario Cocoa Education Foundation, Naparima College Interact Club and TT Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers in collaboration with Soroptimist Club.
TUESDAY 26, 2023: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – The Digicel Foundation in partnership with Shell Trinidad and Tobago Limited (Shell) has announced 10 new recipients of ‘Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities’ (EPIC) grants. Each organisation will receive TT$100,000 to implement sustainable community initiatives in the areas of renewable energy, agriculture, and the environment.
The Digicel Foundation and Shell received 117 applications when they invited eligible organisations to apply for the EPIC grant earlier this year. After months of rigorous screening, the 10 successful applicants were announced at an event held on 20 September at the Digicel Hospitality Suite in the Queen’s Park Oval. The EPIC grants were awarded to the following organisations:
1. Barataria Community Council
2. Brazil Village Farmers’ Group
3. Canaan Bon Accord Sports Club
4. Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)
5. Deltones Institute of Steel Drums and Music
6. Naparima College
7. Original Trinitario Cocoa Education Foundation
8. Traditional Afrikan Women’s Organisation
9. One Seed for Change
10. Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers
Working together for a sustainable future: Representatives from the Digicel Foundation and Shell pose alongside the 2023-2024 EPIC grant recipients at the Digicel Hospitality Suite in the Queen's Park Oval on 20 September 2023.
The organisations have until March 2024 to implement their community projects. This million dollar investment in communities aligns with the ethos of both the Digicel Foundation and Shell Trinidad and Tobago.
During the event, Roslyn George, President of the Cashew Gardens Community Council shared a presentation on the successes of the Cashew Gardens community greenhouse and solar energy initiatives. This group was an EPIC recipient in 2016 and they have thrived tremendously, ensuring that their projects are sustainable and engaging strategic partnerships throughout the years.
Desha Clifford, Chairman of the Digicel Foundation, remarked, “The EPIC programme speaks to supporting communities in a way that favours a bottom-up approach. You tell us what’s important to you and we help you realise your vision, always with the community and its people at the centre. Our role is to empower our partners to have greater reach and impact in their communities. While only 10 groups will receive funding today, we congratulate and applaud all of the applicants for their efforts to create positive social change in our beautiful twin-isle republic.”
Clint Khan, General Manager - Safety and Environment lauded the initiative noting “Together, we could do more, reach more, go further, be bolder. Shell and the Foundation could leverage our collective strengths to support credible organisations across both Trinidad and Tobago, in rural and urban communities, to benefit persons of all ages, at all stages, from all walks of life. Together, we are building local capacity, fostering innovation, and contributing to sustainable community development.”
Founded in 2016, The EPIC programme aims to deliver a series of community-based projects that have the potential to enhance indoor and outdoor spaces and contribute toward the sustainable development of communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Following this instalment, there will be 140 EPIC projects impacting 140 communities through a total investment TT$6.2 million.
ENDS
About Digicel
As a Digital Operator, Digicel is in the business of delivering powerful digital experiences 1440 minutes of each day to customers – that’s every minute, all day, every day.
Through its world-class LTE and fibre networks, together with its suite of eight apps spanning sports (SportsMax), music (D’Music), news (Loop), local radio and podcasts (GoLoud), TV streaming, (PlayGo) enhanced messaging and marketplaces (BiP), cloud storage (Billo) and self-care (MyDigicel app), Digicel is the only operator in its markets that can deliver the complete digital experience.
Serving consumer and business customers in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific with investments of over US$7 billion and a commitment to communities in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad & Tobago, the Digicel Foundation has contributed to positive outcomes for over three million people to date.
With its Better Together brand, Digicel is promising “simply more” to its customers and communities as the company’s 7,000 employees worldwide work together to make this pledge a powerful reality day in, day out.
For more, visit www.digicelgroup.com
About Shell Trinidad and Tobago
Shell has been in Trinidad and Tobago for over 100 years and has played a major role in the development of its oil and gas industry. With operations in offshore and onshore blocks (both operated and non-operated) as well as a majority shareholding in Atlantic LNG, the sixth largest liquefaction facility in the world, Shell Trinidad and Tobago delivers an integrated gas operation to supply the petrochemical market and Atlantic LNG.
Shell Trinidad and Tobago aims to create measurable, positive social impact at the community and national level, and contribute to the achievement of national priorities, through increasing access to education, skills and economic opportunities and improving access to energy.
Our social investment strategy seeks to contribute to economic diversification and livelihood development through Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STREAM) education, community skills and enterprise development, and community development.