Digicel Foundation, Shell Trinidad and Tobago renew EPIC partnership

Ten non-profit organisations will each receive $150,000 in funding to transform their communities through a renewed partnership between the Digicel Foundation and Shell TT.

In a release, Digicel Foundation said for a second year, the two organisations will jointly channel $1.4 million into community development through the Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) programme.

The EPIC partnership agreement was solidified on July 4 between Burt Bushell, work process performance manager at Shell TT; Desha Clifford, chairperson at Digicel Foundation and Abraham Smith, CEO, Digicel TT.

"Partnering for progress is the cornerstone of Shell’s social investment strategy. This continued partnership with the Digicel Foundation enables us to drive sustainable innovation and create a lasting positive impact.

"Together, we are committed to fostering growth and development that benefits communities, the country and the planet," said Bushell.

The EPIC programme is open for applications until August 12, with a call for applications in four thematic areas – renewable energy, environment, education, technology and agriculture.

Registered non-profit organisations, including faith-based organisations and schools, with innovative ideas and a corresponding budget are encouraged to apply for grant funding to implement sustainable community initiatives aligned with one of the above themes, the release said.

"Last year, we offered $100,000 toward each project. This year we’ll be adding some extra funds to projects that are really extraordinary," said Clifford. "We will offer up to $150k in funding to some projects based on the merit of the initiative and the impact it will create."

Shell TT’s contribution to this year’s EPIC initiative amounts to $582,500; with over $1 million invested over the past two years.

To date, there are 150 EPIC projects impacting over 88,000 people with an investment of $7.2 million.