The CDB PROPEL Open Grant Call for Institutional Strengthening for Micro, Small and Medium-sized enterprises (MSME) Development provides targeted grant-financed technical assistance to strengthen organisations that support MSMEs across the Caribbean. Through competitive funding, the initiative seeks to enhance the capacity of institutions responsible for delivering technical, financial and developmental support to MSMEs in Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs).
Funding Opportunity
A total of USD300,000 has been allocated under this Open Grant Call. Funding is available for:
- National projects: up to USD40,000
- Regional projects: up to USD100,000 (involving entities from at least three CDB BMCs)
Applicants are required to provide a counterpart contribution equivalent to at least 15% of the total project budget, which may comprise eligible cash and/or in-kind resources.
Priority Areas for Support
Proposed projects should address one or more of the following institutional strengthening components:
- Institutional Diagnostics and Reform Planning
- Human and Organisational Capacity Development
- Systems, Tools and Data Strengthening
- Coordination and Partnerships
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
These interventions are intended to strengthen governance and operations, improve coordination and information-sharing, enhance service quality, increase the use of reliable MSME data, and support the integration of gender equality, youth inclusion, digital transformation and climate resilience into institutional programmes and operations.
Eligible Applicants
Applications are invited from formally registered organisations operating within a CDB Borrowing Member Country and mandated to provide technical or financial assistance to MSMEs. Eligible entities may include:
- Business Support Organisations (BSOs)
- Public institutions
- Statutory bodies
- Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)
- Membership organisations and associations
- Cooperatives
- Universities and academic institutions
- Community-based organisations
- Regional organisations supporting MSME development
Expected Results
The programme seeks to support more coordinated, inclusive and resilient MSME support ecosystems. Expected outcomes include stronger institutional governance, improved operational systems, enhanced coordination among ecosystem stakeholders, better use of MSME data, and more consistent delivery of services to MSMEs. Participating institutions are also expected to strengthen the integration of inclusion, digitalisation and climate resilience within their operations and programmes.
Application Process
Applications will be assessed against eligibility, strategic alignment, development impact, technical feasibility, sustainability, value for money, partnerships and counterpart contribution requirements. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a detailed Technical Assistance proposal for further assessment. Successful applicants will subsequently work with CDB PROPEL to finalise project appraisal and contracting requirements.
Access the Call for Proposals
Organisations interested in applying are encouraged to review the full Call for Proposals and associated eligibility requirements before preparing a submission.
Application deadline: November 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Submit an application: https://cdb.submittable.com/submit
