- June 26, 2026
- Posted by: BTB Admin
- Category: Business plans, Community, Events, News
Belize City, Belize – June 26, 2026 – The Sustainable & Inclusive Belize (SAIB) program, in partnership with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations celebrated a major achievement on Thursday, June 25, 2026, with the grant signing and award ceremony for the first cohort of tourism entrepreneurs. The event honored 39 awardees from Cohort 1, who will collectively receive $1,147,138.00 in funding to drive sustainable innovation across Belize’s tourism sector.
These 39 recipients represent the first completed cohort of an ongoing, multi-phase program that will offer a total of 150 grants over a two-year period. Technical assistance and grant disbursements continue for other participants currently in the program pipeline, with additional cohorts to follow. A second call for applications is also coming soon, ensuring that more Belizean tourism MSMEs can access this vital support.
Cohort 1: Diverse and Inclusive
The 39 awardees represent the rich diversity of Belize’s tourism industry and communities:
- 13 awardees are female-led enterprises.
- 4 awardees are Indigenous-led businesses.
- The grants are distributed across all six districts, demonstrating a nationwide impact: Corozal: 2, Orange Walk: 3, Belize: 11, Cayo: 6, Stann Creek: 10, Toledo: 7
Program Momentum and Ongoing Support
The ceremony marked the official launch of these transformative projects, which are designed to empower Belizean micro, small, and medium-sized tourism enterprises (MSMEs). The grants, which provide up to BZD $30,000 per business, will fund initiatives such as solar-powered infrastructure, sustainable water management, and the enhancement of culinary experiences that highlight local ingredients and traditional dishes.
While final contracts for this first cohort are still being signed, the SAIB team is already actively supporting awardees. Three recipients have already received their first disbursement to begin project implementation. Additionally, the SAIB team has begun conducting site visits to administer environmental and social questionnaires, ensuring all projects align with the program’s sustainability goals. Technical assistance continues for other participants who are currently part of the program, not just the 39 being honored at this ceremony.
“This program is about more than just funding; it’s about building a sustainable and inclusive future for Belizean tourism,” said Mr. Evan Tillett, Director of the Belize Tourism Board, who delivered opening remarks. The ceremony featured remarks from Ms. Karla González, representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), a key partner in the SAIB program, and Ms. Nicole Usher, the CEO of the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports & Diaspora Relations.
A highlight of the event was beneficiary feedback received from U Janal Masewal, a grant recipient from San Antonio, Cayo, who shared their experience. The program also featured the symbolic signing of contracts and presentation of award certificates, with closing remarks by Mr. Denmar Villar, Project Coordinator for the SAIB Tourism Component.
About SAIB
The Sustainable & Inclusive Belize (SAIB) program is a government initiative, executed by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sport and Diaspora Relations, and the Belize Tourism Board, with funding from the Inter-American Development Bank. It aims to improve incomes and promote sustainable livelihoods in the agriculture and tourism sectors by providing financial aid and technical support to MSMEs.
For further information, please contact:
Signe Caminada
Email: [email protected] Phone: +501 628 36 56
Or
Shanice Salazar
+501 600-8949
