Caribbean Export Development Agency invites women-led businesses from Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to apply for a place on the GRIT 2026 Trade Mission to Canada: a structured, trade and market development opportunity.
Selected entrepreneurs will participate in a two-city programme – Winnipeg, Manitoba (26 October – 1 November 2026) and Toronto, Ontario (3–5 November 2026) – supported by an accelerated pre-mission Launch to Market programme and six months of post-mission commercial follow-up.
Applications close 26 July 2026.
| Eligible Countries | Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Winnipeg Leg | 26 October – 1 November 2026 |
| Toronto Leg | 3–5 November 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 26 July 2026 |
| Questions Accepted Until | 4:00 p.m. on 24 July 2026 |
| Application Method | Online form embedded below this page |
| Application Period | 13 – 26 July 2026 |
| Information Session (Virtual) | 20 July 2026 | 10am https://bit.ly/GRITMission2026Info |
This is a structured business development opportunity designed to help selected women-led enterprises prepare for, engage with and follow up on potential Canadian market opportunities. The mission is anchored by the World Indigenous Business Forum 2026 in Winnipeg – the only global gathering of its kind for Indigenous entrepreneurs, investors and allies – and followed by a three-day strategic market access programme in Toronto focused on Canadian buyers, distributors, importers, retailers, diaspora networks and ecosystem partners.
Selected entrepreneurs must be available to participate fully in the pre-mission Launch to Market programme, the assigned Canada mission leg(s), and the post-mission follow-through process.
The GRIT 2026 Trade Mission to Canada comprises two connected mission legs:
Based on the final assessment of each applicant’s business profile, sector, market readiness, inclusion profile and mission fit, Caribbean Export may invite selected entrepreneurs to participate fully in:
Final participation arrangements will be determined by Caribbean Export and will be subject to eligibility confirmation, documentation compliance, budget availability, travel authorisation requirements, mission objectives and Caribbean Export’s final approval.
This opportunity is open to all women-led businesses from the six GRIT countries. The business must be majority-owned or led by a woman. The following profiles are particularly encouraged to apply:
Full eligibility details and selection criteria are provided in the EOI Factsheet.
Subject to eligibility, budget availability and Caribbean Export’s final approval, selected entrepreneurs may receive support including pre-mission Launch to Market training, a customised Canadian market entry plan, travel and accommodation support, WIBF and Manito Ahbee delegate registration, coordinated market visits and, where confirmed, B2B meetings, selected collateral support, mission visibility support and six months of post-mission follow-up.
Support is indicative and does not guarantee specific levels of financial support, buyer meetings, marketplace access, B2B outcomes or sales results.
Please review the EOI Factsheet for full details.
Caribbean Export will host a virtual information session for prospective applicants on 20 July 2026 | 10am
Key Dates and Proposed Schedule of Activities
Before completing the online form, applicants should download and review the EOI Factsheet and the Specimen Application Form. The factsheet contains full details on eligibility, selection criteria, required documents, commitments and important notes. The specimen form allows applicants to prepare their answers offline before completing the online form.
Contact
For questions about the application process or eligibility, please contact engagegrit@carib-export.com Questions will be responded to until 4:00 p.m. on 24 July 2026.
Data Protection
Personal data submitted through this application will be collected and processed by Caribbean Export Development Agency for the purpose of assessing eligibility, conducting the selection process and, if selected, managing programme participation. Data will be handled in accordance with Caribbean Export’s Personal Data Protection Policy. Read here: https://carib-export.com/about/compliance/personal-data-policy/
engagegrit@carib-export.com