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UK provides $30K for Governor’s Office to fund youth empowerment projects

Governor John J. Rankin, CMG. The UK has been criticised for not doing enough to empower citizens if its Caribbean Overseas Territories, including in education. Photo: VINO/File
According to the Governor's Office, the grant programme is for registered or established BVI Non-Profit Organisations to apply for funding to deliver youth empowerment activities and / or projects to support the economic development of the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
According to the Governor's Office, the grant programme is for registered or established BVI Non-Profit Organisations to apply for funding to deliver youth empowerment activities and / or projects to support the economic development of the Territory. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Governor of the [British] Virgin Islands (VI) Mr John J. Rankin, CMG has said his office has a fund totalling $30,000 to finance youth empowerment projects in the VI.

Mr Rankin in a statement on September 25, 2023, said the Governor’s Office welcomes applications from organisations, or partnerships across organisations for projects up to the value of $10,000.

The Governor said the grant programme is for registered or established "BVI Non-Profit Organisations" to apply for funding to deliver youth empowerment activities and/or projects to support the economic development of the Territory.

He said projects should help more local youths have positive experiences and develop new skills that encourage them to explore job opportunities for example in tourism, environment, agriculture, sports and other sectors relevant to the VI's sustainable development, economic growth and overall wellbeing. 

The target age for these activities is 13 to 21-year-olds.

Funds provided by UK Gov't- Gov's Office

The Governor’s Office told our news centre the Youth Empowerment Projects Fund is funded by the UK Government.

For those interested, an application pack can be requested from the Governor’s Office at govoffice.tortola@fcdo.gov.uk

Applications must be received by October 23, 2023, and projects must be completed by March 1, 2024.

The UK is often criticised for not doing enough to empower citizens of her Caribbean Overseas Territories, especially in the area of education, but spares no effort in building prisons.

Its threats to suspend the Virgin Islands' constitution are also being spurned by regional and international bodies such as the United Nations, CARICOM, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and University of the West Indies (UWI).

50 Responses to “UK provides $30K for Governor’s Office to fund youth empowerment projects”

  • Rick (29/09/2023, 08:41) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    ONLY DAH?
  • Rat (29/09/2023, 08:41) Like (14) Dislike (10) Reply
    They give us only that he should be ashamed, after we had to pay 3 million for a uk coi
    • @Rat (29/09/2023, 10:13) Like (12) Dislike (11) Reply
      They paid over $7mill to try to enslave us with a prearranged COI so they can have a "so called" transparent report with recommendations to give them a licence to do what they always wanted to do to BVI but now want to give the BVI people $30k & 2 scholarships to study in UK and think we are stupid and cannot see what they are trying to do to us.
    • WOW: A whole $30k (29/09/2023, 10:29) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Governor please tell the people of the BVI the TOTAL cost of your COI including: All travel, salary and other benefits of the Commissioner & each staff (even if they were UK public officers), accommodations, consultancies (including psychic cloaked as consultant), all fees to lawyers including Rawat and others, housing, all accommodations, security(even if RVIPF), man hours and fees per hour, and everything else under the sun leaving out nothing. Please tell if any of these services were tendered and if not why not? Is so, which ones and where was the ad lodged? Until the Governor answers these questions truthfully then I do not want to hear nor see him as he has loss all credibility in most of the public's eyes.
  • no sense (29/09/2023, 08:57) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
    Send it back. First they want to control our Police dept and our prisons. After all we hve built and done. Now they qant o slowly whitewash everything? We dont need the bribe. Reparations is what we need.
    • @no sense (29/09/2023, 10:24) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
      Very weak publicity stunt! They have no shame! They just need to leave our boards.... like their buddies the French who are being forced out of Africa!
    • @no sense (29/09/2023, 11:58) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
      You are on point. Next he & his UK bosses will try to get a UK person in as Head of Customs, Immigration, DPP, AG & then in each PS post of influenceand power. They feel they are superior and the only persons God made with integrity and intelligence. This is engraved in their colonial DNA for 1000s of years and it will never change. The only way for freedom & a prosperous future for BVI is through Independence.
    • @no sense (29/09/2023, 14:49) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      Atleast they gave 30,000. What you got to give when it gets sent back? OH okay. Go contribute to the youths and keep your politics to yourself.
  • Cheap (29/09/2023, 09:01) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    Cheap, cheap, cheap.
  • Black Lives Matter (29/09/2023, 09:02) Like (20) Dislike (15) Reply
    These uk colonizers give Ukraine $30 billion £ for the war and bvi $30 thousand for its youths!!! One word racism and white supremacy against the bvi
    • @Black Lives Matter (29/09/2023, 10:06) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
      Well said. I can like your post a million times if I could. They don't care about Ukraine neither only the oil and food resources that comes out of there because Africa has wars of similar nature and they refuse to assist with funding & any resources to bring peace. They care about their own interest.
  • fish (29/09/2023, 09:15) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
    No conspiracy. Just plain incompetence they don’t care about us
  • Hmmmm (29/09/2023, 09:16) Like (11) Dislike (11) Reply
    Another colonial gimmick.
  • WOW (29/09/2023, 09:17) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    Now they trying to reach the hearts, minds, & souls of our youths.
    • @wow (29/09/2023, 11:00) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      ...and with crumbs off their table. Youth empowerment with $30K? How many youths are they targeting? I guess the handful at the white populated schools. No doubt this is just a leadup for the $200K donation to their animal shelter cause. You know how they like their pets!
  • What a set (29/09/2023, 09:18) Like (11) Dislike (11) Reply
    These colonial oppressors surely know how to play mind games on our people after years of neglect.
  • vg youth (29/09/2023, 09:20) Like (10) Dislike (11) Reply
    The position of Governor needs to be an elected position
    He is playing politics but do not have to run for office yet hold power without accountability.
  • Stay awoke (29/09/2023, 09:22) Like (12) Dislike (9) Reply
    This is good but it is not done from the heart and for the right reasons. These people do nothing by accident nor from the heart. We will take the money but BVI People STAY AWOKE.
  • Comparison (29/09/2023, 09:30) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    BVI Governments have given around 45 Scholarships yearly to its people to study abroad for the past 60 years. The UK & Governor all of a sudden are giving out one or two to study in the UK & is publizing it as the greatest thing ever. The BVI Government has supported and funded youth and NGO programmes in the millions over the years. The UK & Governor are all of a sudden giving a mere $30,000 and is promoting it as the best thing since slice bread. If the BVI & its people were waiting on the UK & Governor help to develop then where would they be. Every little counts but only a fool cannot see what their PR & end game stratehy is about.
  • Not Impressed (29/09/2023, 09:32) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    I use to support the Governor 100% but I have come to realize he is no different to the others. We welcome the funds but it will not sway us from requesting for independence.
  • Hypocrisy (29/09/2023, 09:37) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Imagine he and the UK has set out clear criteria and conditions to how to apply for and access the little funds. This is transparent and great. Well how come in the 21st century they cannot clearly state how an OT can apply for Independence and what all has to be done to achieve it with the steps clearly itemized. You cannot find this information anywhere. Not even online except for them only saying if any OT wants it all they have to do is ask. They know they do not intend to free the people from the bondage they conveniently have them in but fooling them otherwise.
    • @ Hypocrisy (29/09/2023, 14:22) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ Hypocrisy, just ask and they will tell you, don’t you think? Instead, we are saying they don’t want to grant independence. The UK would be glad to cut the OTs loose as it did the larger regional countries which had to sink or swim. Served their usefulness, the UK had no use for them any more, they were a burden and drain, so they cast them adrift. They would do the same for the OTs. Put up or shut up.
  • So (29/09/2023, 09:38) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    So the Governor playing politics now with a new grant funding.
  • balance (29/09/2023, 09:42) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    If he can have funding under him then so can the elected officials. So take the funds from Social Development and put back the people's district funds under the House of Assembly and just strengthening the accountability and put clearer guidelines to access it. His COI recommendations dictated they be removed but yet he can have such a fund and it is okay. I wonder if the people are seeing what is really taking place here.
  • Governor can have grant funds---huh (29/09/2023, 09:45) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    I guess it is not what you do but how you do it and who does it. The slavery mill is grinding slow but grinding still.
  • NDP supporter (29/09/2023, 09:53) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    It is for these same reasons why I continue to say those preauthored and prearranged "so called" independent 48 COI recommendations needs public input before rushing to implement them wholesale as most are not in the best interest of the people nor economy of the BVI. While the Governor is busy using them claiming good governance, he is setting up himself using the same things he is trying to kill that worked for us for years but just needed to strengthen in accountability rather than elimination of them or putting in layers of bureaucracy so only few can now get needed assistance. They are trying to cut off our powers to govern ourselves so they can steadily increase theirs so we MUST become dependent on them and slaves to them. Our leaders are fast a sleep.
    • @NDP Supporter (29/09/2023, 10:10) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      Well said.
    • new party (29/09/2023, 18:03) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      Our corrupt leaders have undermined any good cases we may have had against the Governors. We are no different to the Africans that sold our ancestors.
  • Governor please tell (29/09/2023, 10:02) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    We applaud the Governor on being clear on the procedures tp access these funds. We thank him for the funds. Now tell the BVI public with the same clarity what were the procedures used to hire your Commissioner of Inquiry. Was the position advertised or the person hand picked? Tell us where it was advertised and who set up his responsibilities for employment and the salary and how much? Did it adhere to the laws of the BVI in the COI Act? How was the staff that assisted him selected? Were they independent to the Governor & the UK Office that hires the Governor? Who really wrote all the 48 recommendations? Governor you need to be transparent with the people of the BVI because while we agree with portions of the report, the majority of people are not convinced the report was independent from your interference & input nor transparent as you are purporting. The BVI public is desperately awaiting these answers.
  • D8 (29/09/2023, 10:16) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    The very actions he is condemning public officers and elected officials over, he is now involved in and it is okay once he is doing it. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
  • Low income salary (29/09/2023, 10:33) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Says alot about how they feel about the people of this territory…
  • Contrarian (29/09/2023, 10:34) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Guv, please, $30,000!!!! It would have been better if nothing have been given. NGOs give more. It is insulting but no surprise, for colonialism is an extractive political and economic institution. Wow!!! Hope the UK feels good with itself. This equates to colonialists giving trinkets to the indigenous people/locals.
    • @Contrarian (29/09/2023, 14:42) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      You got 30,000 to give instead? Have you ever contributed any funds to any youth program? Okay. Exactly. If nothing was given and an article was posted to highlight that it’d be an issue same way. Ungrateful.
    • @Contrarian (29/09/2023, 16:40) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      @Contrarian, indeed it is like a trinket given by colonizers to indigenous people/local in the West Indies, tribal leaders in Africa, readily build jails in the colonies but no schools (keep them dumb and jail them), etc. Throw them an insulting bone and they will be happy.
  • lol (29/09/2023, 10:34) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
    The paid UK bloggers get a late jump on this one so they are trying to make up now with dislikes. We see you all.
  • 2023 (29/09/2023, 11:41) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    some of us think that we can fight the Great Britain: some of us talk to much

    Our people can go to the United Kingdom and Live
    Our children can go the United Kingdom to get a better education

    less talk
    • To 2023 (29/09/2023, 14:10) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      You are living in 2023 but your thoughts are still in the 1800s.
    • @2023 (29/09/2023, 14:18) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Who want to go to that cold, overpopulated, over restricted, overtaxed, crime zone called the UK? I wouldn't call that living!
  • good (29/09/2023, 11:57) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Y’all get y’all vex y’all don’t get y’all vex. 30k good.
  • trevor (29/09/2023, 12:00) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
    Look all the negativity being posted about governor, yet not one of you will recognize how corrupt we have become.
    Our premier is in jail!
    Our gov. Officers proven to be corrupt!
    We are like rude children, not seeing what we need to better ourselves, just want to continue eating candy.
    Talk of independence and elected governor, like you all smart enough to do better.
    Then do better!
    Show that you can accomplish even the simplest of tasks before waiting to take control.
    Arrogance is rarely an asset.

    • @trevor (29/09/2023, 13:38) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
      Hold on here you unreaearched UK supporter hypocrite. First, everyone with sense knows what has been attenpt with the last Premier because he stood up against their colonialistict behavior and plans. Next, there is no place more corrupt than the UK & their Officials. They have changed 3 Prime Ministers in less than 4yrs. Many elected officials are resigning under allegations of corruption. They refused to do a COI on their corruption in the UK with the handling of COVID funds where officials give millions of pounds to new and unheard of companies owned by friends and family to supply PPE, hasmat suites, and other covid related supplies. All this was swept under the rug. So don't come speaking to the BVI people as if we are fools and corrupt. The real origin of corruption are those who trying to make BVI look and sound like they are corrupt. The BVI has developed itself and people well and deserve the right to seek & get independence. Also being a UK Governor does not mean you are more intelligent and honest than anyone else especially people from the BVI. So you stop your slavery brainwashed badminded comments and get with the real facts and programme. This is the 21st century and no one owns anyone.
      • Comment (29/09/2023, 14:23) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        @trevor 1000000000 Likes!
      • @@trevor (29/09/2023, 15:08) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        Everyone with sense knows what has been attempted with the last premier?????? Well I guess I don't got no sense lol. Have you gotten the chance to read the affidavit? I don't think so. Poor you. He got caught up due to greed and his corrupt ways. Put it in a bottle gulp it down and let it digest.
        • To @@trevor (29/09/2023, 16:21) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
          You behave as if you do not know how the colonial masters work and plot. They will reap what they sow
    • For trevor (29/09/2023, 14:12) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      At least VINO is posting comments for and against because this story on the tabloid online news site only post comments in favor of the Governor and blocked anything other.
  • facts (29/09/2023, 12:01) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Everything under the Governor is a failure.
  • Sambo (29/09/2023, 15:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is past is prologue, William Shakespeare says in the Tempest. George Hegel says, the one who values liberty over life is the—Master. And the one who values life over liberty is the —-Slave. Let’s be honest Virgin Islanders value being ruled by the colonialists over being ruled by locals. They demonstrate this by their disunity, crab in bucket mentality, through their altruism by putting the interest of the colonists over their own, falling prey to the divide and rule conditioning. The UK divide and rule strategy from slavery is still effective. Their strategy is to divide a colony, pitting segments of a population against another, pitting select people against select people by meritorious manumission, etc. Currently, Mount Olympus is exploiting the division in the population to strike. They are exploiting the local versus expat divide to strike. And local versus local divide to strike. The division worked in the past so why not try it again. Moreover, Colonialism has not lost its stripes, its spit, etc. The reality is an extractive political and economic institution, exclusionary, sets up special privileges and entitlements for a select group—White. It subscribe in social ordering, racial superiority, ie, Blacks were an inferior underclass with a specific servile roles. Whites on the other were the upper class. It was this attitude that Blacks were not too bright, cowering to Whites that embolden and give license them to treat them ( Blacks) in a inferior role. It was this view that creates the attitude that they could piss on blacks and they would believe it is raining. The $30,000 grant is an insult and probably not given a second thought, for they would gladly accept the goodwill.


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