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Project aims to get youth active

Jonteau Coppin
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Project aims to get youth active

In an attempt to combat childhood inactivity, the Barbados Physical Therapy Association has launched an initiative designed to encourage children to become more physically active through fun and engaging activities.

The programme, entitled Project Active, was developed in collaboration with the Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition. It began at St Lucy Primary School, which is the first stop in a planned islandwide school tour.

Speaking at the school, physiotherapist with the Physical Therapy Association, Marita Marshall, said the initiative aimed to promote healthier lifestyles among children, while reinforcing the Ministry of Education Transformation’s existing School Nutrition Policy.

“Today we are having our launch day for Project Active, which is a campaign that we are running in Barbados, going around primary schools to encourage physical activity and exercise in fun ways for kids,” Marshall said. “This is our first school stop, St Lucy Primary School. We’ll be going to two other schools, and we’re hoping to get the whole of Barbados and all children involved by launching an online competition very soon.”

Marshall, who is also the project coordinator, added that Project Active was intended to complement healthy eating initiatives already being promoted in schools by highlighting the importance of physical activity in overall health and wellness.

“We are really trying to support and strengthen the School Nutrition Policy, which is already in place, by letting children, parents, teachers and everybody understand that there is a physical activity component to improving health and wellness and well-being, and also helping children to learn healthy habits,” Marshall said.

The former Combermere School student also expressed concern about the increasing amount of time children spend on electronic devices and said the initiative hoped to show young people that exercise could be an enjoyable alternative.

“We really want to get away from children sitting on their phones playing all day, getting them to understand that exercise and physical activity can be fun, it is good for you, it is healthy,” Marshall said.

The project is expected to continue at Irving Wilson School on June 5 and Blackman and Gollop Primary School on June 25, whilst also featuring at a National Sports Council camp in August. (JC)

FSC to regulate micro financiers

Shawn Cumberbatch
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FSC to regulate micro financiers

Micro finance companies and other unregulated non-bank financial activities in Barbados are on the Financial Services Commission’s (FSC) radar.

The FSC is proposing a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework for the sector to close “significant gaps in consumer protection, financial integrity, and supervisory visibility”.

Development of a micro finance framework was a focus of the FSC’s 15th anniversary Industry Stakeholder Consultation On Legislative Reform Project at Hilton Barbados Resort last month and the regulator has published a paper to receive feedback on its proposals.

“The proposed reform is intended to formally expand the regulatory perimeter to include micro finance and other currently unregulated non-bank financial activities, ensuring that oversight is fit for purpose while preserving access to credit and supporting financial inclusion,” the FSC explained.

“At present, the micro finance landscape in Barbados is fragmented and unregulated, comprising a diverse range of providers, including payday lenders, finance companies and informal credit operators.

“The absence of a clear regulatory framework creates significant gaps in consumer protection, financial integrity and supervisory visibility. This reform seeks to address these deficiencies by introducing a proportionate, risk-based regime that balances access to finance with appropriate safeguards.”

The regulator noted that “a central feature of the proposed framework is the definition and formalisation of the regulatory perimeter, clearly identifying the activities and entities subject to oversight, including lending, credit intermediation, and related financial services”.

This will be supported by the introduction of a tiered regulatory structure, “ensuring that requirements are aligned with the size, nature and risk profile of providers, thereby avoiding undue burdens on smaller or community-based entities, while strengthening oversight of larger and higher-risk operators”.

The FSC said its proposed framework placed “strong emphasis on consumer protection and market conduct, including the establishment of clear rules governing disclosure, pricing, lending practices and debt collection”.

“These measures are intended to promote transparency, fairness and responsible lending, while mitigating risks such as over-indebtedness and exploitative practices. 

“In parallel, the framework will enhance financial integrity through the extension of anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and counter-proliferation financing obligations in line with international standards, particularly those of the Financial Action Task Force, and improve data collection and supervisory oversight,” the FSC said.

It added: “The reform also recognises the importance of financial inclusion, particularly for under-served individuals and micro enterprises.

“It seeks to support the development of sustainable micro finance models, including digital and fintech-enabled delivery channels, while facilitating a phased transition from informality to formalisation through simplified registration processes, clear guidance and proportionate compliance requirements.

“In addition, the framework integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG)considerations as a cross-cutting principle, with a focus on responsible lending, fair treatment of borrowers and transparency. 

“Given the sector’s direct social impact, ESG is positioned as a practical tool to strengthen market conduct and support inclusive, sustainable finance outcomes,” the regulator said.

The FSC said the proposed framework would be introduced in the context of various factors impacting the micro finance sector, including:

 Fragmented and partially unregulated landscape: The microfinance and non-bank financial services sector in Barbados includes a wide range of entities. The absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework creates consumer risks, as well as data and visibility gaps for policymakers.

 Financial inclusion versus consumer risk: Microfinance providers often serve individuals and micro enterprises that may not qualify for traditional credit. The framework must balance preserving access to credit and preventing exploitative practices.

 Need for a proportionate and tiered regulatory framework: Given the diversity of entities, a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to be effective.

 Interest rate transparency and pricing practices: A key issue in micro finance is the true cost of credit, including high effective interest rates, hidden fees and charges and non-transparent repayment structures.

 Market conduct, collections, and consumer safeguards: Unregulated lenders may engage in practices that harm consumers.
A strengthened framework should address licensing and conduct requirements; rules governing collections and enforcement; whistleblower protections; and consumer recourse and dispute resolution mechanisms.

 Data, credit reporting, and over-indebtedness: Limited integration with credit reporting systems can lead to multiple borrowing across providers, inadequate assessment of borrower capacity; and systemic over-indebtedness risks.

 Digital lending and fintech developments: The rise of digital platforms and mobile-based lending introduces faster access to credit and use of alternative data for credit scoring, but also raises risks around algorithmic bias and lack of transparency; data privacy and consent; and rapid accumulation of debt. 

 Anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and counter-proliferation financing and illicit finance risks: Unregulated financial activity can create vulnerabilities for money laundering and other illicit uses. Extending these obligations to relevant non-bank entities is critical for safeguarding the financial system.

 Institutional capacity and enforcement: Expanding the regulatory perimeter will require additional supervisory resources; enforcement tools and legal authority; public awareness and compliance outreach.

 Transition from informality to formalisation: Bringing unregulated entities into the formal system presents challenges, including resistance due to compliance costs; limited administrative capacity among small operators; and the risk of reducing credit availability if regulation is too stringent.

 Linkages with the broader financial system: Both credit unions and micro finance providers are interconnected with commercial banks, for example, funding and deposits; payment systems; and household balance sheets. Understanding these linkages is important for monitoring systemic risk; designing macroprudential tools; and ensuring coordinated regulation across sectors. (SC)

Pampalam Barbados returns to the road

Nationnews Desk
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Pampalam Barbados returns to the road

Following the viral success of its 2025 presentation, Spring Garden in Full Bloom, Pampalam Barbados returns to the road for Crop Over 2026 with a bold and immersive new theme: Underneat De Culpepper. 

More than a costume band, Pampalam continues to define itself as a cultural experience, where storytelling, design, and identity converge into a refined and intentional expression of mas. This year’s theme journeys beneath the surface, drawing inspiration from the hidden treasures believed to rest under Culpepper Island. It is a narrative rooted in memory, resilience, and the unseen value of what must be protected. 

At its core, Underneat De Culpepper explores ocean conservation and collective responsibility through three central archetypes: 

The Bajan Fisherman –  representing labour, care, and our direct relationship with the sea. He is both sustained by and dependent on its abundance, embodying the delicate balance between use and preservation. 

The Goddess of Sacred Waters – embodying depth, intuition, and the vast, commanding presence of the ocean. She is both provider and force, holding the power to give and to take, guiding the rhythm of life beneath the surface. 

The Oracles of the Sea – symbolising endurance, protection, and the long arc of preservation. They serve as guardians and guides, assisting the Goddess of the Sacred Waters while safeguarding the future of the ocean’s legacy. 

Together, these archetypes create a layered narrative that transforms the road into a living story, one where each masquerader becomes both a visual statement and an active participant in a deeper cultural and environmental dialogue. 

Pampalam’s boutique approach remains central to its identity, with a curated group of just 20 masqueraders. This intentional scale allows for meticulous attention to detail, elevated design execution, and a more intimate, high-impact experience that prioritises quality over quantity. 

“Our goal has always been to create something that feels both beautiful and meaningful,” says Simone Arthur, founder of Pampalam Barbados. “With Underneat De Culpepper, we’re inviting people to not only play mas but to embody a story, one that connects culture, environment, and responsibility in a way that feels personal and powerful.” 

Building on the momentum of its widely shared 2025 presentation, Pampalam Barbados continues to carve out a distinct space within Crop Over merging contemporary aesthetics with heritage, intention, and purpose. (PR)

Erdiston ready for education overhaul

Sherrylyn Clarke
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Erdiston ready for education overhaul

As the Government moves full speed ahead with plans to transform the education sector, Erdiston Teachers’ Training College stands ready to produce the type of teachers to drive the process.

Principal Dr Colin Cumberbatch, who gave remarks at the 2026 Graduation Ceremony at Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Saturday evening, said “the quality of teachers” was at the heart of the transformation process.

The graduation was held under the theme, Prepare To Teach, Equipped To Transform.

“We must also reform our curriculum, our pedagogical approaches, our assessment procedures, and all other aspects of our programming, not just to meet, but to outstrip the demands of the transformation being undertaken. We must keep pace with the initiatives of transformation and, I dare say, move ahead of these initiatives to ensure that we are never caught lacking in our capacity to meet the needs of the evolving educational system,” Cumberbatch told the audience.

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Durrant to grace the stage again

Jonteau Coppin
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Durrant to grace the stage again

Veteran bodybuilder Martinus Durrant is embracing the spotlight once again when the Roger Boyce IFBB Pro World Cup 2026 takes centre stage this weekend at the Wildey Gymnasium.

The Barbadian IFBB Pro Masters athlete views the event as a celebration of decades of sacrifice, discipline and dedication to a sport they helped shape locally and across the Caribbean.

“Masters athletes are the cornerstone of any sport,” Durrant said. “They paved the way for others to follow. Most are like libraries of information of times gone by and sources of training styles and protocols from yesteryear, things that are no longer seen or never heard of.”

The IFBB Pro Masters division is expected to be one of the emotional highlights of the weekend, bringing together seasoned competitors from Barbados, Jamaica and Antigua in a showcase of experience, polished presentation and Caribbean pride. He will be joined by fellow Barbadian and IFBB Pro Hoskyn Worrell.

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Nurses still ‘under pressure’

Colville Mounsey
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Nurses still ‘under pressure’

President of the Barbados Nurses Association, Dr Fay Parris, says nurses are still battling long hours, emotional stress, limited resources and the need for stronger support systems to sustain the profession.

Speaking during the association’s Nurses’ Week service at Sanctuary Empowerment Centre yesterday, Parris said while there had been encouraging developments within the sector, much more was needed to improve working conditions, morale and retaining nurses.

While agreeing that nurses were the backbone of health, offered critical care, compassion and advocacy, Parris said there were challenges.

“We need to acknowledge that nurses work long hours, experience emotional stress, have limited resources, and that there is a pressing need for stronger support systems. Empowerment means giving nurses the tools, respect and authority to make impactful decisions, ensuring that they save lives effectively.”

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Eight explore story illustrations at Olympus Theatres

Josue Ramirez Nelson
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Eight explore story illustrations at Olympus Theatres

The theatre room of the Olympus Theatres in Sheraton Mall was transformed into a space fit for the world of story book readers on Friday at the launch of the inaugural Barbados Children’s Book Illustrator and Author showcase.

At least eight primary schools were invited to the showcase sponsored by the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust and featuring live readings and presentations of works from authors such as Cherisse Harris, Ruth Amanda, and Yolanda T. Marshall.

Internationally acclaimed award winning author and illustrator Amanda hoped the showcase will shed light on what people in Barbados can do to create literacy projects that children will love to read.

“We hope that children will learn that creating stories is a very fun way to use their words and their skills and their imaginations. So we are hoping to inspire a whole new generation of literary creators, authors, illustrators, combinations,” Amanda said.

To help, Amanda created a step by step guide to help children make their own illustrated stories, noting that current digital illustration methods were becoming more popular in the digital space.

“You still have the computer-drawn images where people are using Procreate and other programmes, that are not AI, to create their own art using digital means with the brighter colours. So there is so much out there. So my advice to children wanting to learn

illustration is to keep practising. “I created a step-by-step how to draw, so the students will be able to follow the steps . . . take an inspiration, take a photo, recognise the shapes, draw the basic shapes, add the details after,” she said. The showcase was hosted by Bookspace Studio, which is focused on developing book illustrations and puppet making workshop services. Harris hoped that the showcase will drive an interest into the creation of these books.

“Our mission for this event is to spark an interest in how books are made, highlighting the important role of reading, writing and illustrating in that process, as well as inspire Barbadian children to be creative thinkers in any field they pursue,” she said.

(JRN)

20 certified for careers in digital marketing

Nationnews Desk
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20 certified for careers in digital marketing

Twenty young Barbadians are now better equipped for the modern digital economy after successfully completing the Liberty Caribbean Foundation’s Introduction to Digital Marketing, a five-week initiative facilitated by leading telecoms provider Flow.

The course culminated with a presentation ceremony at Flow Windsor Lodge Corporate Office and represented an investment of more than $20 000 in youth development through training, technology, and educational support.

Delivered as part of the Liberty Caribbean Foundation’s ongoing mission to promote digital inclusion and empowerment across the Caribbean, the programme provided participants with practical, industry-driven digital marketing training aimed at improving employability, entrepreneurship, and career readiness.

Participants were selected through partnerships with the National Organisation of Women (NOW) Barbados and the Men’s Empowerment Network Support (MEN), while each participant was also provided with a laptop to support learning and accessibility throughout the course. At the closing event, they were gifted the laptops along with the completion certificate.

Speaking during the presentation of certificates closing event, Xavier Jeffrey, senior manager, retail sales at Flow, said the initiative reflects Liberty Caribbean’s commitment to investing in people and creating meaningful opportunities for the youth.

“Over the past five weeks, these young adults have gained skills that are not only relevant, but critical in today’s business environment. From understanding digital platforms to building strategies and engaging audiences, they have taken important steps toward expanding their opportunities,” said Jeffrey.

Liberty Caribbean are the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC.

President of NOW, Melissa Savoury-Gittens, praised the initiative and the positive impact it had on participants.

“This programme gave young people access to knowledge, tools and opportunities that can profoundly change the direction of their lives. Partnerships like these are critical in helping to empower communities and create pathways for growth and independence,” she said.

Founder and executive director of MEN, Fabian Sargeant, also commended the programme and its focus on youth development.

“This is . . . a milestone in that it has brought a men’s group and a women’s group together at this level. We are proud to have partnered on this. The sessions helped to build confidence and ambition among our young people. The impact of programmes like this extends far beyond the classroom,” said Sargeant.

The programme officially commenced on March 21 at the YMCA in Bridgetown and was facilitated by digital marketing professionals Thaddeus Harris and Janelle Germain. The initiative was supported by several partners, including Massy Stores Barbados and Banks Holdings Limited. (PR)

Saint Lucia Jazz builds momentum ahead of finale

Nationnews Desk
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Saint Lucia Jazz builds momentum ahead of finale

The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival continued over the weekend with Caribbean Fusion and World Beats drawing large crowds to Pigeon Island National Landmark for two nights of performances.

Friday’s Caribbean Fusion featured performances from Skip Marley, The Original Wailers featuring Al Anderson, Kes and Dexta Daps. The event also highlighted Saint Lucian talent through the Saint Lucian Mélange segment led by reigning Groovy Soca Monarch Nerdy.

Saturday’s World Beats showcase included performances by Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems and British R&B artiste Ella Mai, alongside regional acts including Princess Lover, Lu City, X-Man, Les Aiglons de Guadeloupe, October 4, Christopher Neil, Werner “Semi” Francis and TC Brown.

Festival organisers also noted that international media outlets and influencers, including Billboard, Essence, TheGrio, BBC Radio, Jazz FM and BlogTO, were on island covering the event and showcasing Saint Lucia’s tourism and cultural offerings to global audiences.

The festival concludes today with “The Ultimate Celebration”, headlined by Brandy, Monica, Billy Ocean and Beverley Knight. Saint Lucian performers Mervin Wilkinson & Friends and Kyle Ernest are also scheduled to appear. (PR)

$1.05 million in payouts from NCF

Natanga Smith
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$1.05 million in payouts from NCF

A full review of the National Cultural Foundation’s 2026 Crop Over competition framework shows that the state-backed cultural calendar carries a combined prize and structured payout of just over $1.05 million, spanning both music and costume competitions across Grand Kadooment, Junior Kadooment, Pic O De Crop, Power Soca, Sweet Soca and Junior Monarch.

The consolidated figure was calculated from official prize schedules, finalist payouts, appearance fees and special awards.

At the heart of the system is the music competitions, which account for the largest share of direct payouts. Together, Pic O De Crop, Power Soca, Sweet Soca and Junior Monarch will dish out an estimated $847 650 in prizes and related payments.

Premier show

Pic O De Crop, widely regarded as the premier calypso competition of the festival, carries the most structurally extensive payouts, with an estimated total distribution of $311 500. This includes a $100 000 top prize or vehicle alternative, which normally carries a higher value when vehicle insurance and other allowances are included. The second placed finalist earns $40 000, third place $20 000, fourth place $15 000 and fifth place $10 000.

Layered payouts are then accorded to positions six through ten, each receiving $8 000, and 11th down to 18th place netting $6 000 each. Added to that is an appearance fee for all finalists of $2 000 as well as $2 500 for the reserve performer.

Power Soca and Sweet Soca – operate on identical financial structures, each with a total estimated payout of $253 900. In both competitions, the winner receives $100 000, but the runners-up surpassing those in the Pic O De Crop, with second place earning $50 000, third place $40 000 and fourth $20 000.

Positions five through eight each receive $10 000, while reserves and songwriting awards add smaller but notable additional payments. While more top-heavy than Pic O De Crop, these competitions concentrate significant value among the highest-placed performers.

The Junior Monarch will see the smallest financial allocation at about $28 350 in prizes and awards. Despite its lower monetary value, the competition plays a critical developmental role for young performers aged seven to 18.

Winners in both calypso and soca categories receive $3 000, with prizes through to eighth place, in addition to themed awards for social issues such as road safety, HIV/AIDS awareness and anti-bullying messaging.

The costume and mas’ segment accounts for a further $203 700 in prize money across Grand Kadooment, Junior Kadooment private bands, and Junior Kadooment schools and community bands.

Grand Kadooment remains the flagship event and cultural centrepiece of Crop Over. It carries an estimated $80 000 in direct prize money, including the $20 000 Best Festival Designer award, and major payouts for individual performers and band categories.

However, its financial footprint extends beyond prizes. Participating bands are also eligible for subventions of up to $20 000 for heritage bands and $27 500 for party bands, positioning Grand Kadooment as both the most visible and one of the most heavily-subsidised cultural productions in the festival.

The big day also carries a special award for an artiste whose song is the most played at the judging stages. Currently, first place in the Tune Of De Crop, also known as Road March, earns $7 500, the first runnerup $5 000 and third place $2 000.

The junior costume competitions also carry significant financial weight. The Junior Kadooment private bands category distributes about $85 400 in prizes, while the schools and community bands segment gets $38 300. (NS)

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