COSME Programme
The COSME Programme was launched on April 1, 2014 on the island of Tortola (BVI). The 41 month programme (time period later extended) dispersed $15M Euros to projects benefiting participating Caribbean Territories. The territories were Anguilla, Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Montserrat, Saba, St. Barth, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten and Turks and Caicos Islands. The funds were made available by the European Union (EU).
Training Opportunities
The Department of Youth and Culture and the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry were two of the focal points in Anguilla through which opportunities for training were available through funding from COSME. A number of individuals and businesses benefitted from training opportunities in topics including but not limited to Innovation Management, Development of Business Plans, Entrepreneurship, Social Media and Blogging over the four year period.
COSME launched a number of other projects during this period.
CaribConnect
CaribConnect provides a digital portal and international network connecting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Caribbean OCTs with mentors, investors and financial institutions to boost their growth and success. Besides offering far-reaching network opportunities, it will also offer professional services to assist entrepreneurs in strengthening their business plans with the main goal of being investment ready.
CaribConnect.net is simple to use and is currently free to anyone conducting or wishing to conduct business in the Caribbean. There are three profiles for registration in CaribConnect.net: Entrepreneurs, Mentors and Investors. CaribConnect has over 500 registered businesses and over 70 mentors in its Caribbean database.
Have you joined CaribConnect Yet? To register your business click here.
Read more about CaribConect here – https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/77374-online-business-incubator-to-assist-smes-in-anguilla
Featured Local Success Stories
As part of CaribConnect promotions, a number of COSME Success stories were created. Three local businesses are featured on the website. Read more about each business by clicking on the link provided.
Lily Moses
“COSME has been an absolute support for the Chamber by providing the opportunity for access to workshops/training/conferences that would help the Chamber grow and find ways to be innovative to serve its members,”
Read more about the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce’s Story here
~ Lily Warning-Moses Administrative assistant to the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce.
“COSME has been COSMIC in supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs in the Caribbean region! The commitment and strategic offering of personal and professional learning opportunities to fill the gaps of SME’s in the region has been phenomenal in helping young and new entrepreneurs like myself to reach the stars as we chase our dreams!”
Read more about Branches of Learning here.
~Njeri Richardson-Carty
Shellecia Brooks-Johnson
“The opportunity to benefit through COSME continues to be invaluable. I have remained connected with persons I have met in the last two years and new opportunities for business continue to arise. COSME is building an informal network throughout the region which will have positive impacts on the region for time to come. I certainly look forward to giving back through all the information and connections I have made.”
Read more about My Anguilla Experience here.
~Shellecia Brooks-Johnson
Other COSME Projects
COSME has also been working with some islands on an SME Policy and is in the process of launching an Exporting Campaign and Women Entrepreneurship Platform/Network.
Contact:
To learn more about COSME and CaribConnect visit their website at cosmeprogramme.org and caribconnect.net respectively.
To learn more about what is happening with the Department of Youth and Culture follow their Facebook page here. Remember there is still time to register your child or children for DYC’s Youth Escape Camps so they can learn a new skill this summer.
Stay connected with us all here in Anguilla by following My Anguilla Experience on Facebook and Instagram too!
