CARIFESTA XV Mobility Assistance Grant (MAG)

About CARIFESTA XV Mobility Assistance Grant (MAG) 

This framework outlines the comprehensive plan for the successful execution, management, and oversight of the CARIFESTA XV Mobility Assistance Grant, funded by the Cultural & Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) of the Caribbean Development Bank and the National Cultural Foundation. The Grants are administered by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF). The grants  enable a total 20 applicants to be selected, each accessing USD2,500.00 to participate in CARIFESTA XV, 2025. 

1. Process for Selection of Candidates 

The selection process is designed to be fair, transparent, and aligned with the strategic goals of supporting creative entrepreneurs in the region. 

Phase 1: Eligibility Screening All applications will first be screened by the NCF’s Business Development Department to ensure they meet the foundational criteria: 

• Official Selection: Applicant must be an officially selected participant or recommended for CARIFESTA XV (e.g. performer, panelist, or Grand Market booth renter). 

• Country of Origin: Applicant must be from one of the 19 CDB Borrowing Member Countries. 

• Sector Alignment: The applicant’s work must fall under one of the designated sub-sectors: 

• Music 

• Visual Arts 

• Fashion and Contemporary Design 

• Audio Visual (Film, Gaming, and Animation) 

• Festivals and Carnivals 

• Business Status: Applicants must provide proof of formal business operations as an MSME (e.g., Sole Proprietorship, LLC).

Phase 2: Adjudication A selection committee will review all eligible applications. The committee will score applications based on the information provided in the following sections of the application form: 

• Part A: Applicant Information: Stage of business and applicant’s experience within the sector. 

• Part B: Mobility Assistance Request Details: 

• Clarity of the request and objectives for attending CARIFESTA. 

• Demonstrated need for funding and challenges in securing other sources. 

• Strength of the projected spill-over benefits to the applicant’s brand (e.g., sales, lead generation, collaborations). 

• Part C: Funding Details: A clear, itemized budget that aligns with the eligible expenditure categories.

2. Rationale for Selection 

The primary rationale for selecting a candidate for the grant is to invest in creative entrepreneurs/MSMEs who demonstrate a clear potential for growth and sustainability through their participation in CARIFESTA XV. 

Successful candidates will be those who effectively: 

• Demonstrate a Clear Need: Articulate why this grant is critical for their participation and what financial hurdles it helps them overcome. 

• Present a Strong Business Case: Clearly explain how attending CARIFESTA will translate into tangible business outcomes, such as increased sales, new partnerships, or expanded market access. 

• Showcase Professionalism and Experience: Have a proven track record within their sector and a registered business entity, indicating a serious commitment to their creative enterprise. 

• Submit a Coherent and Justifiable Budget: Provide a realistic budget where the requested funds directly correlate with achieving the stated business objectives at the event.

3. Management of Grant Funds 

To ensure accountability and proper use of funds, the grant will be managed with strict financial controls. 

• Maximum Award: Grants are payable up to a maximum of USD $2,500.00. 

• Disbursement Method: Funds will not be paid directly to the grantee. The NCF will make direct payments to service suppliers on behalf of the grantee. 

• Process for Payment: 

1. The selected grantee must source and present official quotations for services to the NCF. 

2. The NCF will review and approve the quotations to ensure they align with the approved budget and eligible expenses. 

3. Upon approval, the NCF will disburse the funds directly to the vendor (e.g., airline, hotel, shipping company).

Eligible Expenditure: Funds can only be used for: 

1. Airfare 

2. Accommodation and Meals/Subsistence 

3. Ground Transport 

4. Shipping Costs for Grand Market Booth Goods/Equipment 

5. Travel and Shipping Insurance 

6. Marketing and Promotional Costs for CARIFESTA (flyers, banners, etc.) 

7. Grand Market Booth rental expenses 

4. Reporting, Monitoring, and Evaluation 

A robust M&E plan is essential to measure the impact of the grant and ensure accountability from the grantees. 

A. Reporting Format 

Upon completion of CARIFESTA XV, each grantee is obligated to submit a final report, which will include: 

1. Narrative Report: 

• Summary of Activities: A detailed account of participation, including meetings held, workshops attended, and performances/exhibitions conducted. 

• Outcomes vs. Objectives: An analysis of the results achieved compared to the “Benefits to Your Brand” outlined in the application. This should include quantitative data where possible (e.g., number of leads generated, value of orders secured, number of collaborations initiated). 

• Challenges and Lessons Learned: A brief on any difficulties encountered and key takeaways from the experience.

2. Financial Report: 

• A final summary of how the grant funds were utilized, cross-referenced with the initial budget. 

• Copies of all final invoices from the service providers paid by the NCF. 

3. Impact Assessment Form: 

• As stated in the declaration, grantees must complete a standardized impact assessment form provided by the NCF. This form will likely contain scaled questions and specific KPIs to standardize the evaluation of the program’s success. 

B. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) 

Monitoring: 

• Pre-Event: The NCF Business Development Department will monitor the timely submission of quotations from grantees. 

• During Event: NCF representatives may conduct informal check-ins with grantees at CARIFESTA to offer support and monitor progress.

Evaluation: 

• The NCF will aggregate the data from all grantee reports to evaluate the overall return on investment for the Mobility Assistance Grant program.

Key evaluation questions will include: 

• Did the grant successfully facilitate access to new markets for the practitioners?

• To what extent did the grant contribute to the sustainability of the creative businesses involved?

• What was the overall economic impact generated by the grantees’ participation (e.g., total sales, value of new partnerships)

The results of this evaluation will be used to report to the CIIF and to refine the grant program for future iterations.

Click below to download the CARIFESTA XV Mobility Assistance Grant (MAG) Application Form