KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica National Foundation is reporting that its project dubbed the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI) has received additional funding from United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Through this funding the progamme is expected to be extended by another two years.

This extension will allow 15 additional social entrepreneurs and social enterprises to benefit from the combined training, consultation and partnership development provided to the SEBI incubator participants.

 In addition, six of the top performing SEBI Pioneers will have been selected to continue in the programme.  

“Through SEBI, USAID and the JN Foundation have started the process of integrating the Social Enterprise business model into the psyche and practices of local entrepreneurs and members of the social sector,” Saffrey Brown, General Manager, JN Foundation explained.

“However, we acknowledge that more support is needed at this stage, if social enterprises are to engender the change and social impact that they promise.”

Brown added that the supplementary funding from USAID has extended the life of the project; and has given the opportunity to build on what was started; as well as, to reorient efforts to achieve greater traction and progress within the projected time frame.

She also advised that SEBI beneficiaries have been extended to include both “social enterprises” and “social entrepreneurs.”

Applications are now being invited for submission.

Only online applications, submitted by April 22, 2016, will be accepted for consideration. To apply, visit www.sebijm.com.