We’re delighted to introduce the Small Grant Facility (SGF), a new service for micro and small businesses as part of the Business Link Pacific Programme (BLP).
BLP is a private sector development programme funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and delivered by DT-Global.
The SGF provides grants of less than NZD$3,000 to support micro and small businesses based on a detailed project budget.
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1
To qualify, businesses must:
Have been operational for at least 12 months
Have a valid bank account
Be registered or able to be registered -
2
Proposals should demonstrate impact in one or more of the following areas:
Growth: Support for business expansion
Innovation: Funding for new ideas in an existing business, products, or services
Inclusion: Promoting equal access to products or services for underserved groups
Access to Finance: Helping secure additional funding
Climate: Initiatives addressing climate change -
3
Proposals must generate positive economic or social outcomes, such as
job creation
market expansion
or environmental sustainability
All proposals should be submitted through BLP’s local partners and will be evaluated by BLP’s grant assessor panel, which includes representatives of local partner organisations.
To view eligibility in more detail please click here
BLP will directly inform grant applicants about the panel’s review results.
Grant recipients will receive support from a business advisor in the BLP Network, who will work with business owners to improve business planning.
Business Link Pacific (BLP) is a New Zealand-funded private sector development programme set up by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to help support small and medium-sized local enterprises (up to 50 employees) in the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
Since first being established in 2017, BLP has assisted more than 2500 small-medium sized businesses via their online Business Health Checks, Continuity Plans and in-depth business diagnostic services.
Business Link Pacific (BLP) connects small and medium sized businesses in the Pacific to local advisory services. BLP advisors go through a quality assurance process designed to take the uncertainty out of finding quality business advice such as Business Planning, Financing & Loan Facilitation, Accounting & Financial Management, Marketing assistance and so much more.
Business Advisory Services in Cook Islands
Business advisory services are among Cook Islands’ growing professional service industry. Working closely with Business Link Pacific, Cook Islands has developed the first quality approved Network of business advisors offering a wide range of services to the Cook Islands business community. Since starting with BLP, the number of business advisors in the local Network has increased substantially. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have invested more than NZD 164,000 in business services, which the New Zealand government has matched with a subsidy that covers the cost of business advice by 50% of the regular fee.
BLP has provided 249 subsidies in Cook Islands, 213 to businesses with one or more female owners. This joint investment has resulted in numerous business benefits and as of March 2024 the local Network has 13 business advisory firms. The BLP Network of business advisors in Cook Islands can assist Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) with various needs, including accounting, marketing, technology, and gender inclusion.
Eligible SMEs can receive subsidised services from BLP approved advisors. Partnering with local business organisations, like the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, and international partners, like Tower Insurance, the BLP Network is well-equipped to support business and economic growth in Cook Islands.
Improved Access to New Financial Investment Through Business Services and Business Grants
BLP developed and introduced business grants to respond to SME financial needs in the new economic environment brought about by Covid-19. In 2024, BLP advisors supported 106 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Cook Islands through the BLP grant application process. They helped refine adaptation plans, improve financial information accuracy, and develop high-quality business plans for the recipients.
To see more statistics please click here
For more information on how the Chamber of Commerce can help connect you with BLP services, send us an email: ci@businesslinkpacific.com or call our Chamber office on 20925