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KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica National Foundation is reporting that its project dubbed the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI) has received additional funding from United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Through this funding the progamme is expected to be extended by another two years.

This extension will allow 15 additional social entrepreneurs and social enterprises to benefit from the combined training, consultation and partnership development provided to the SEBI incubator participants.

In addition, six of the top performing SEBI Pioneers will have been selected to continue in the programme. 

“Through SEBI, USAID and the JN Foundation have started the process of integrating the Social Enterprise business model into the psyche and practices of local entrepreneurs and members of the social sector,” Saffrey Brown, General Manager, JN Foundation explained.

“However, we acknowledge that more support is needed at this stage, if social enterprises are to engender the change and social impact that they promise.”

Brown added that the supplementary funding from USAID has extended the life of the project; and has given the opportunity to build on what was started; as well as, to reorient efforts to achieve greater traction and progress within the projected time frame.

She also advised that SEBI beneficiaries have been extended to include both “social enterprises” and “social entrepreneurs.”

Applications are now being invited for submission.

Only online applications, submitted by April 22, 2016, will be accepted for consideration. To apply, visit www.sebijm.com.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/JN-s-SEBI-on-the-lookout-for-exceptional-social-enterprises-and-social-entrepreneurs

The Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation and the University of Birmingham have opened applications for the 2016/17 University of Birmingham and Jamaica National Foundation Legacy Scholarship, for studies beginning in September 2016.

The scholarship is open to graduates who would have successfully matriculated into a Master of Science degree programme at the University of Birmingham’s Business School by May 13, 2016. Special assistance may also be provided for athletic development and training if the awardee demonstrates outstanding ability in a particular sport.

The Legacy Scholarship programme, which is endorsed by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen through his I Believe Initiative, is awarded to one Jamaican tertiary graduate per year over the three-year period 2014 – 2016.

The first awardee, Chris-Ann Thomas (2014-15), holds a master’s with distinction from the University of Birmingham, having placed first in her programme; while the second awardee, Lavois Cruickshank (2015-2016), is currently studying for the MSc in Financial Economics.

Saffrey Brown, general manager at the JNBS Foundation, noted that the Legacy Scholarship, which is in its final year, has already created an impactful legacy, and will continue to result in the exchange and application of first world standards into the local work arena by beneficiaries of the scholarship who have been exposed to aspects of business in an international setting.
“Providing scholarships of this calibre for Jamaican students is important, as it provides an opportunity for the best students to study overseas, develop global networks and contribute to introducing emerging ideas in the local market,” she said.

The University of Birmingham is consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 institutions, with approximately 32,000 students, and is one of the most popular universities for postgraduate study in the UK. It was named The Times’ and The Sunday Times’ University of the Year for Graduate Employment for 2015/16.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/Applications-for-Legacy-Scholarship-2016-now-open_57921

The Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI) has received additional funding from USAID allowing it to be extended for another two years. The venture will therefore continue to play a critical role in the development of the sector.

Since its inception, the joint USAID and JN Foundation initiative has guided participants to achieve efficiency and growth, while strengthening the voice and visibility of social enterprises.

Through this extension, 15 additional Social Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprises will be able to benefit from the combined training, consultation and partnership development provided to the SEBI incubator participants. In addition, six of the top performing SEBI Pioneers will have been selected to continue in the programme. Applications are now being invited for submission.

During the past three years, the SEBI Pioneers’ improved management and marketing skills have enhanced their operations, which generated in excess of $37 million in revenue; created 15 new market ready products and services; as well as, employed approximately 130 community members.

“Through SEBI, USAID and the JN Foundation have started the process of integrating the Social Enterprise business model into the psyche and practices of local entrepreneurs and members of the social sector,” Saffrey Brown, General Manager, JN Foundation explained. “However, we acknowledge that more support is needed at this stage, if social enterprises are to engender the change and social impact that they promise.”

Brown added that, “The supplementary funding from USAID has extended the life of the project; and, gives us the opportunity to build on what we started; as well as, to reorient our efforts to achieve greater traction and progress within the projected time frame.”

She also advised that SEBI beneficiaries have been extended to include both “social enterprises” and “social entrepreneurs.”

It should also be noted that: social enterprises are defined as profit-making businesses, which exist to address social needs, such as: unemployment, mental illness or environmental degradation. Whereas,

“Social Entrepreneurs” are defined, as business persons who establish enterprises intended to solve social problems and effect social change. Greater emphasis will be placed on the selection of solutions based start-ups; enterprises that have developed market-ready products and services; and have positive track records for sales.

Within the ensuing months, equal focus will be placed on the provision of resources and support to the wider Social Enterprise network. This will be achieved through a series of initiatives such as the hosting of SEBI rap sessions and the 2017 SEBI Summit and the publication of the SEBI Toolkit among others.

http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/jns-sebi-receives-more-funding-aims-grow-social-enterprise-sector

The successful Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI) has been extended for another two years, thanks to funding from the United States Agency for International Development.

Saffrey Brown, general manager of the JN Foundation, said that the initial three-year project was given an extension last December. SEBI’s objectives are to make social enterprises better businesses, create a network for them to flourish, and to improve the public’s awareness of and attitude towards them.

“The newest is to turn SEBI into its own social enterprise so that when the project is finished it is able to continue to provide enabling services and support to the social enterprise sector,” she said.

The application process begins on April 4 and ends on April 22. The original SEBI pioneers launched 15 new products and services, formed 29 micro enterprises, employed more than 130 community members and generated J$37.7 million in revenues. Brown is optimistic that ‘SEBI Two’ will be equally successful.

“We are able to take lessons learned and adapt the project. Going forward, there will be many more opportunities for the ‘open network’,” she said. Brown noted that there are social enterprises that are not necessarily part of objective one, which is the business incubation phase.

MORE TRAINING

“But there will be a lot more training. We’re going to have some great rap sessions that look to address some of the issues that different social enterprises are trying to address,” she said.

“Another big component is that we’re opening up SEBI to social entrepreneurs, so it’s not just groups. It’s individuals who are providing solutions to some of Jamaica’s greatest challenges. It’s really about creating an opportunity for people and groups that have innovative solutions to be able to get out there and now provide those within the market.”

SEBI will be searching for 15 new enterprises or entrepreneurs for objective one (making them better businesses).

Six pioneer SEBI enterprises, namely Superior Craft and More; Breezy Castle Centre (Multicare Foundation); The Source; Cockpit Treats (Ulster Spring Women’s Group); Image Training Centre (Dress For Success Jamaica); and Mustard Seed, will be brought back as they are now in growth phase.

Owners of social enterprises and social entrepreneurs can log on to www.sebijm.com to find out more.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20160328/sebi-gets-two-year-extension

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Oneal McLeod, a teacher at Godfrey Stewart High School in Westmoreland, is the 2016 Mathematics Teacher of the Year 2016.

He was named as the winner of the coveted award during the National Mathematics forum today (March 8), at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston.

“Words can’t explain how I am feeling right now,” said an elated McLeod in an interview with JIS News following the award ceremony.

“I really love teaching. I love helping students and this will serve as a motivation for me as a teacher going forward, so right now, I feel really overwhelmed,” he added.

He said the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information – led competition, served as an opportunity for teachers to highlight their strengths, while also sharing best practices. He vowed to continue being an inspiration to his students.

McLeod was selected as the winner from five national finalists. A total of 107 primary and secondary school teachers from across the six education regions were nominated.

His prizes include a one-year membership to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), which is world’s largest organisation concerned with mathematics education, as well as a trip to San Francisco for the NCTM 2016 Conference.

Debra Morrison Muir of the Jessie Ripoll Primary school was runner-up. Other finalists were Marlon McKenzie of the Holy Trinity High School; Karen Hartley of Bethabara Primary; and Nerissa Stephens from Little London Primary.

The contestants were observed teaching mathematics lessons by members of regional and national mathematics teams as well as education officers.

They were also interviewed by a panel of judges on mathematics teaching and learning and discussed effective strategies to address the needs of struggling learners. Individuals were scored based on these interactions.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Maths2016-03-08T17-09-47

Managers of the iLead educational leadership project, a public-private partnership designed to improve the general delivery of education and the management of schools, have indicated that the project’s year-end report shows improvements in key target areas.

Jamaica National (JN) Foundation launched its First Responders Programme at Cardiff Hotel in Runaway Bay, St Ann.