Digi Innovative Projects Grant Program
Digi Innovative Projects Grant Program
Authored by: Digital Transformation Unit
Source: Digital Transformation Unit
Date: 29th July, 2022
NASSAU, The Bahamas – Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Mr. Wayde Watson, announced on 29th July, 2022, the upcoming launch of the Digi Innovative Projects Grant Program, at the Office of The Prime Minister’s Press Briefing. He advised that the committee to oversee this initiative comprises of the Digital Transformation Unit (DTU), the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC), and the Bahamas Development Bank (BDB); all of whom will provide project management and operational support.
Under the Government’s Digital Transformation to Strengthen Competitiveness Project, provision has been made for the creation and implementation of the Digi Innovative Projects, which seeks to encourage, promote and reward information and communications technology (ICT) ideas that will provide for and/or improve the levels of innovation within the public sector.
At the conclusion of this grant program and based on the decision of the committee, close to one million dollars will be disbursed to the winning submissions.
To be eligible for participation, applicants must be Bahamian (those under the age of 18 must have parental consent). Additionally, there must be two (2) or more partners/contributors per project. Submissions must:
- Be ICT in nature and created based on a need in government agencies that will positively impact clients of the Government;
- Resolve an identified issue in at least one (1) Ministry or Department by increasing efficiency, improving processes and ensuring better service delivery;
- Include an executive summary and business
A portal will be provided by Access Accelerator, Small Business Development Centre, through which all applications must be submitted no later than September 7, 2022 at 11:59pm.
Director of the Small Business Development Centre, Samantha Rolle, who also spoke at the Press Briefing shared that in this initiative, “…there is a clear opportunity for the development of a healthy ICT talent ecosystem and for the integration of more innovation in the public sector, which is ripe with the potential for more growth.”
Mr. Watson made a heartfelt appeal to all “Bahamian pioneers, inventors and technology entrepreneurs who may have an innovative solution that aligns with the goals of this initiative and provides a clear path to more efficiency in the public sector to grab this opportunity” and apply.
Media Contact: DTUmedia@bahamas.gov.bs
