Community Groups Benefit from Financial Literacy Training through CED’s UOCCI Project

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines — November 7, 2025 — The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) has successfully concluded a two-day financial literacy workshop under its “Unlocking Opportunities through Climate Change Initiative” (UOCCI) project.

Funded by the Organization of American States (OAS) through the Development Cooperation Fund (DCF), the UOCCI project aims to strengthen economic resilience among women and underserved communities across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The training, held at Frenches House from November 4–5, provided community groups and organizations with essential financial management skills to promote self-reliance and sustainability. Participants learned how to effectively manage funds obtained through grants, donations, or income-generating activities, enabling them to better adapt to the impacts of climate change.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Keisha Phillips, CED’s Training and Education Coordinator and UOCCI Project Coordinator, underscored the importance of financial literacy as a tool for empowerment.

> “As you go through this climate change project, you will begin to identify positive opportunities arising from the impacts of climate change on our country and transform them into revenue-generating initiatives,” she said.



Ms. Phillips further emphasized the need for financial understanding within community organizations, expressing confidence that the workshop would leave participants “more informed, confident, and capable of managing their finances effectively.”

Instructor Mrs. Simone Murray led the sessions, which were met with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Tristan Williams of Ink Lab Art Studio described the workshop as transformative:

> “I am leaving this programme more informed, more knowledgeable, and with a stronger ability to manage not only the assets in my business but my personal finances as well.”



Keilrick Franklyn from the United League Empowered Development Organisation (ULEDO) praised the sessions as “detailed and concise,” while Laura Stephens Dublin of the Climate Change Resilience Network called it “one of the best workshops” she has attended.

> “Everybody uses money every day,” she said, “and we need to learn how to manage it effectively.”



Ann-Marie Ollivierre of the Sea Moss Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines noted that the workshop fostered a sense of empowerment toward financial independence.

> “We are looking forward to more programs like this so we can grow to be more financially dependent on ourselves,” she shared.



Annie Bob of Goshen Farms and the Climate Change Resilience Network commended Mrs. Murray’s facilitation style:

> “Her patience ensured everyone’s questions were addressed, so we all could understand and take something valuable away.”



The three-year UOCCI Project, valued at US$125,000, forms part of the OAS/DCF 2024–2027 programming cycle. It seeks to foster inclusive climate action by supporting women and vulnerable groups to create sustainable livelihoods and build economic opportunities while reducing the adverse effects of climate change.