The National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) on May 5th, 2021, held the official media launch of its Green Innovation Summit competition which is aimed at empowering entrepreneurs with the skills and tools relevant to operating a sustainable business.
Speaking at the event, NDFD Business and Entrepreneurial Development Manager, Donald Bercasio, said the financial institution has embarked on this green programme dubbed ‘NDFD Green’ in an effort to contribute to transforming Dominica into an environmentally conscious and environmentally responsible global citizen and to help build more climate-resilient, micro small and medium enterprises and low medium households in Dominica.
Under this initiative, NDFD will host its first-ever Green Innovative Summit from June 1st to 5th, 2021.
Day one -Lab day- will be used for idea testing and orientation while the remaining days, designated competition days, will consist of intense practice sessions that will prepare the aspiring entrepreneurs for the final round where they are expected to present and defend their ideas to a panel of “esteemed, very experienced judges” of various expertise and backgrounds.
Participants will have the opportunity to identify and prove solutions in thematic areas such as water management, waste management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and recycling.
“The event, that is geared towards assisting aspiring and existing entrepreneurs develop environmentally friendly ideas, learn from the most important aspects of running a business and acquire the most effective techniques in pitching their business ideas to potential investors,” Bercasio explained.
Among the benefits which he listed, are access to outstanding mentors, top-notch business development training, peer to peer learning and community formation and bonding. participants will also gain valuable knowledge from experienced mentors who will coach them and provide the necessary support to better shape their business ideas.
Bercasio is also hoping that the summit will eventually ignite “the next big green idea that could make a massive positive impact here and around the world.”
While over $5000 in cash and kind, as well as a support package for the continued development and execution of the winning business ideas, are up for grabs, Executive Director of NDFD Cletus Joseph noted that the knowledge gained will be invaluable.
“We want people to look beyond the monetary prizes. There will be monetary prizes, but the process that you go through in terms of developing your business idea is so much more beneficial and important than just the money. the knowledge and expertise you will gain from that is something that will remain with you for the rest of your life and you can use it to develop yourself and gain more cash,” Joseph stated.
The NDFD executive director gave the assurance that upon completion of the competition, the institution will keep in contact with each participant to visit ways their business ideas can best be developed into a functional business.
“So we will be following up with these persons, to and out what is the progress on the business plan you came up with, what are your challenges that you are having which you can not further develop etc.”
The main idea he stressed, is sustainability.
“Some person may say what can we as small Dominica do to harm the planet so much, but we look at it on the other way. We need to do our small part and small island states are the ones that are most vulnerable to the effect of climate change and we must always ensure that we do what it takes to protect our environment,” Joseph emphasized.
According to Event Coordinator, Annasha LaRonde, to register, an interested person would need to submit an essay of approximately 250 words or a three-minute video indicating who they are, what environmental area they are addressing; indicate the issue/issues they are most concerned about and how he/she thinks it is a problem to the environment, and a description of the products or service they will offer to address the environmental issue which has been identified. Once all registrations are in, 15 of the entrepreneurs will be selected and then reduced to 10.
No more than two persons can represent one idea.
Laronde said that an open registration day will be held on Wednesday 12th, May 2021, from 8 am to 3 pm, at the NFDF office. Successful registrants will receive a call on Tuesday 18th May 2021, to confirm participation.
Information can be submitted to Email [email protected], NDFD’s Facebook page, www.ndfd.dm or WhatsApp/call 275 (NDFD) 6333. The deadline for submission of applications is Friday 14th May 2021.
The NDFD hopes to make this an annual event, however, the institution is, in the meantime, making available to current and prospective clients, a green loan facility to push the need for more energy-efficient habits.
Partners of this event include The National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD), Dominica News Online (DNO), The Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) and Flow Dominica.
Business places interested in partnering on this initiative are encouraged to contcct the NDFD for further details.
“You are just a hater! Or frustrated old man whose most dreams didn’t come true.”
You that nobody need to shut up; you do not even have a fake name, you do not know me; so, let me inform you that anything a man my age should have in this life; I earned it; have it; and much more.
I do not need nor want anything more!
Anything that money can buy within my means, I can buy it, or already have it.
I do not beg nor borrow from anyone; never have and never will; when I die my children and grandchildren will benefit my residue; and live prosperous until they die!
I am not someone who talk and cannot put my money where my mouth is; and surely I don’t mess stray with dogs!
Can you ……..say that?
Know your damn place and who you are talking about!
Yes I can Say that.
You speak a lot of reality Mr. Telemacque but it also seems that you live very negatively. That is more sad than a country, who like every other country and human being has their issues and potential. None and nothing is perfect. I hope you get the love that you deserve in life so you do not come here time after time after time and spur bitterness towards the majority of things reported. DO you have any advice for these people? No. Just talking crap, I am soo sorry that you are that type of person. *Hugs*
Another Dominican fantasy of talking crap!
Is it not strange that these people entertain the notion that they have something to contribute, powerful enough to change Dominica and the rest of the world.
Nevertheless; while they talk baloney, they have not presented one bit of science that one may review and come the the conclusion they know what they are talking about.
Over the years I’ve listened to the wishful thinking of out people, and wondered how come they have answers to the rest of the worlds problems, they have a resolve for worlds issues, while Dominica remains the poorest, the most backward place on the planet?
Before I can dictate or tell someone more intelligent than I am how to resolve their problems; I should be able to resolve my issues first.
One day a young guy knocked on by door introduce himself and told me he have a program that can teach me how to save money. I calmly ask him what kind of care the drive.
Continue:
So, I ask him what kind of car he drove, the man pointed across the street at an old beat-up raggedy piece of junk.
I simply told him he might be the best sales man in his business, but the junk he drives people will not take him seriously.
I asked him do you have half a million dollars in a bank; the man told me “I have not gotten to that stage yet;” I said to him; well then how can you teach me how to save money?
Dominicans operate on the same balcony principle, they talk fart, they become inebriated on talk, but when they get sick they all over Radio and Television begging for money to go to other people country to get medical treatment.
The name hospital in Dominica is only the building; treatment do not exist!
How you going to help rest of world?
In Dominica minimum wage is less than five dollars per hour, approximately less than US $1.85 per hour; fix Dominica first!
Talk after.
You are just a hater! Or frustrated old man whose most dreams didn’t come true. STFU old man and let other people dream and try to make a difference no matter how little it seems to your biased, prejudiced existence! You talking about crap in Dominica, what have you done yourself to improve the situation of the nation? The kind of negativity that you are spewing is one of the reasons why a lot of people including yourself are not happy! If you not happy with the government or if your party didn’t win last election, you should not include other people in your political dog bites! If people want to make a difference let them do their share! Smh