Jamaica National Foundation in partnership the USAID has enlisted another 15 social enterprises under its capacity building programme, Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI).

After assisting 15 social enterprises in raising revenues of roughly $37 million last year, JN Foundation and the USAID has decided to extend the programme another two years to assist other local social enterprises in the efficient operation of their services.

The beneficiaries of this year’s programme include: Ackee Walk, a Jamaican made children’s programme focused on building self-esteem and cultural awareness of the Caribbean child; Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS), an umbrella organisation that supports the social sector and Deaf Can! Coffee, an initiative designed to create employment opportunities for deaf individuals and generate income to fund the education of the deaf population.

Also a participating in the programme is a company created to increase work opportunities for Alpha Graduates in the music industry, Music Inc; Positive Prints, which addresses the issues of self-esteem and self-identity among inner city youth; Portmore Self Help Disability Mobility and Resource Centre, and Petals n’ Roots, which engages in the creation of floral arrangements by people who are living with mental illness.

The Montego Bay Marine Park, St John Bosco, a Manchester-based home and school for at-risk and unattached boys, Bunkers Hill Cultural Xperience and River Tour, Rockfort Development Group, the St Andrew Bruce Project (Plant Jamaica) and the Young Women and Men of Purpose, which addresses the challenge of long-term career planning choices for young people using web-based psycho-analytical tools and applied technology — will also partake in the capacity building programme.

Expectations are that the new entrants will produce the same or greater revenue results than that of the first batch of beneficiaries. The revenue gained will be used to effectively fund operations or for further expansion of each social enterprise.

SEBI, which is a three-year-old programme, seeks to assist in the development and technical capacity-building of existing and potential enterprises and individuals that are committed to the development and sustainability of the social and economic well-being of communities, groups and individuals. Under the programme, social enterprises will be benefit from the combined training, consultation and partnership development provided to the SEBI incubator participants.

The SEBI pioneers who remain in the project are the Source, Ulster Springs Women’s Group, Mustard Seed Communities, Dress for Success, Breezy Castle and Superior Crafts and More.

Last year a total of 10 social enterprises, including Caribbean Community for Retired Persons (CCRP), Mustard Seed Communities, Dress for Success, Network of Women for Food Security, and Superior Crafts and More have benefited from US$1 million ($113 million) worth of technical and business development support under SEBI.