Building Capacity for Change: Reflections from the Grant Writing Workshop in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Christina Mais, Cuso volunteer

St. Vincent and the Grenadines may be considered a small island compared to other Caribbean countries, but what I’ve come to learn is that while the island may be small in size, the people here are incredibly passionate about preserving their home and protecting the environment.

I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside the SVG Conservation Fund (SVGCF) as a volunteer Communications Advisor through the CORE Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The project focuses on strengthening National Conservation Trust Funds (NCTFs) to implement local, nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation, with a strong emphasis on gender responsiveness. One of the highlights of my time here so far has been helping to organize a truly impactful event.

On July 22 and 23, Cuso International, in partnership with the SVG Conservation Fund, hosted a Grant Writing Workshop aimed at strengthening local capacity. The two-day training was held at Frenches House in Kingstown and brought together local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and community leaders to build skills for developing stronger, results-oriented project proposals.

What stood out to me most was the energy and enthusiasm in the room. Participants came with open minds, ready to learn and share. Some traveled for hours from rural villages, while others joined virtually from the neighboring Grenadine islands. The workshop also brought together several SVGCF grantees who are already doing incredible work in conservation, climate resilience and community development. I was amazed by how engaged everyone was and how empowered they felt after just the first day.

There are so many nonprofits, small businesses and entrepreneurs across St. Vincent and the Grenadines with brilliant ideas for community development and economic growth. But one of the biggest hurdles they face is knowing how to access the funding needed to bring those ideas to life. That’s what made this workshop so meaningful, it really focused on building capacity and creating opportunities for greater equity.

The workshop was designed to help participants better understand how grant formats are evolving and to equip them with the practical tools to write stronger, more competitive proposals. It also emphasized how local projects can align with larger regional and international funding priorities. In his opening remarks, SVGCF Project Officer Audwin Andrews shared why this training was so timely:

“We’re committed to making sure our grantees and partners have the tools they need to access funding. As proposal requirements keep changing around the world, workshops like this help us stay ready and competitive.”

Day One: Laying the Foundation 

Day one, led by experienced local facilitators from the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED), focused on the fundamentals of proposal writing. Participants learned about the key components of a strong proposal, how to craft SMART objectives and what donors are really looking for. There were also interactive group activities where participants created mock project proposals in order to learn from common mistakes and find better ways to showcase impact and sustainability. By the end of the day, they had developed solid ideas to build on.

Day Two: Implementation and Collaboration

Day two was all about putting everything into practice. We dug into the nitty-gritty of grant writing. Diving deeper into topics such as budgeting, risk analysis and gender assessment. Participants benefited from three engaging virtual presentations by Cuso consultants specializing in Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL), Communications and Gender. The sessions were packed with real-world examples, tools, and checklists that participants could apply directly to their work.

To wrap things up, each group presented their final proposals, applying everything they had learned over the two days. One standout came from a nonprofit called Voice of the Disabled. Their proposal focused on launching a mentorship program to connect their members with persons with disabilities in more remote communities, especially those who may not have access to the same resources and information available in more central areas.

Looking Ahead 

The group presentations were thoughtful and well-executed, and it was clear that everyone took the facilitators’ guidance to heart. The workshop ended with a certificate ceremony and small tokens for participants to take with them as they continue their journey in personal and community development.

It was incredibly rewarding to see how the SVGCF and Cuso International came together to support local capacity building and promote sustainable livelihoods in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.