DIGICEL FOUNDATION AND SHELL TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO RENEW EPIC PARTNERSHIP

Partnering for community transformation: From left to right, Abraham Smith, CEO, Digicel Trinidad and Tobago; Desha Clifford, Chairperson, Digicel Trinidad and Tobago Foundation; and Burt Bushell, Work Process Performance Manager, Business Transformation, Shell Trinidad and Tobago.

FRIDAY 19 JULY 2024, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Ten non-profit organisations will each receive TT$150,000 in funding to transform their communities through a renewed partnership between the Digicel Foundation and Shell Trinidad and Tobago (Shell T&T). For a second year, the two organisations will jointly channel TT$1.4 million into community development through the Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) programme.

This significant private sector partnership agreement was solidified on 4th July in the presence of Burt Bushell, Work Process Performance Manager, Business Transformation at Shell along with Digicel Foundation Chairperson Desha Clifford and Digicel TT CEO Abraham Smith.

“Partnering for Progress is the cornerstone of Shell’s Social Investment strategy,” shared Bushell. “This continued partnership with the Digicel Foundation enables us to drive sustainable innovation and create lasting positive impact. Together, we are committed to fostering growth and development that benefits communities, the country and the planet.”

The EPIC programme is open for applications until August 12th, with a call for applications in four thematic areas: (i) Renewable energy, (ii) Environment, (iii) Education, (iv) Technology and Agriculture. Registered non-profit organisations,  inclusive of faith based organisatiojns and schools, with innovative ideas and a corresponding budget are encouraged to apply for grant funding to implement sustainable community initiatives aligned with one of the above themes.

“Last year we offered TT$100,000.00 toward each project.  This year we’ll be adding some extra funds to projects that are really extraordinary,” shared Desha Clifford, Digicel Foundation Chairperson. “We will offer up to $150k in funding to some projects based on the merit of the initiative and the impact it will create.”

Shell T&T’s contribution to this year’s Digicel Foundation EPIC initiative amounts to TT$582,500; with over $1 million invested over the past two years. To date there are 150 EPIC projects impacting over 88,000 persons with an investment of TT $7.2 million. The application form can be found online at digicelfoundation.org/tt/en/apply-for-a-grant/epic-grant, and interested groups are welcome to contact the Digicel Foundation team via social media or email at digicelfoundationtt@digicelgroup.com.

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About Digicel

As a Digital Operator, Digicel is in the business of delivering powerful digital experiences 1440 minutes of each day to customers – that’s every minute, all day, every day.

Through its world-class LTE and fibre networks, together with its suite of eight apps spanning sports (SportsMax), music (D’Music), news (Loop), local radio and podcasts (GoLoud), TV streaming, (PlayGo) enhanced messaging and marketplaces (BiP), cloud storage (Billo) and self-care (MyDigicel app), Digicel is the only operator in its markets that can deliver the complete digital experience.

Serving consumer and business customers in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific with investments of over US$7 billion and a commitment to communities in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad & Tobago, the Digicel Foundation has contributed to positive outcomes for over three million people to date.

With its Better Together brand, Digicel is promising “simply more” to its customers and communities as the company’s 7,000 employees worldwide work together to make this pledge a powerful reality day in, day out.

For more, visit www.digicelgroup.com

About Shell Trinidad and Tobago

Shell has been in Trinidad and Tobago for over 100 years and has played a major role in the development of its oil and gas industry. With operations in offshore and onshore blocks (both operated and non-operated) as well as a shareholding in Atlantic LNG, the sixth largest liquefaction facility in the world, Shell Trinidad and Tobago delivers an integrated gas operation to supply the petrochemical market and Atlantic LNG.

Shell Trinidad and Tobago aims to create measurable, positive social impact at the community and national level, and contribute to the achievement of national priorities, through increasing access to education, skills and economic opportunities and improving access to energy.

Our social investment strategy contributes to economic diversification and livelihood development through Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STREAM) education, community skills and enterprise development, and community development.