AGP Executive Report

Visa rules update: Finland has refreshed its visa-free entry list, confirming that among African countries only Mauritius and Seychelles can enter without a visa for short stays, with conditions like proof of funds and onward travel. Migration policy: The same update reiterates Finland’s Schengen limits of up to 90 days in any 180 for tourism, business meetings, or family visits. Caribbean climate resilience: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study flags insurance gaps in hurricane-exposed Jamaica, Barbados, and Grenada, saying many farmers, fishers, and tourism workers must replace losses themselves. Local environment & youth tech: Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group are rolling out plastic recycling bins to secondary schools, backed by a US$10,000 grant. Skills & agritech: Grenada’s CASE hosted an OECS SKIP study tour on climate-smart agriculture and innovation. Jobs: Foodhub Grenada is hiring a Customer Service Representative for its SaaS platform.

Visa & Travel Policy: Finland says visa-free entry for up to 90 days (within 180 days) covers about 60 countries, but only Mauritius and Seychelles are the African options on the current list. Immigration Compliance: The U.S. has made its visa bond programme permanent, letting consular officers require certain B1/B2 applicants to post refundable bonds up to $20,000 before travel. Caribbean Insurance & Climate Risk: A Lloyd’s-backed study warns hurricane-exposed farmers, fishers and tourism workers in Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada often lack insurance and must replace boats and crops themselves. Grenada Environment & Youth Tech: Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group (with Liberty Caribbean Foundation support) installed the first school plastic recycling bin, with 10 bins planned across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. STEM & Skills: CASE hosted an OECS SKIP study tour, spotlighting climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness and research that could feed Grenada’s new Agriculture Centre of Excellence. Heritage Under Threat: Grenada National Trust secured a temporary High Court injunction to pause demolition of the Drill Yard, urging a 120-day stop and expert assessment. Jobs: Foodhub Grenada is hiring a Customer Service Representative.

U.S. Visa Policy: The State Department is making its visa bond pilot permanent, letting consular officers require certain B1/B2 business and tourist applicants to post refundable bonds up to US$20,000 before travel, with the rule already covering 50 countries. Regional Insurance: General Accident Insurance (Jamaica) is moving to merge its Trinidad subsidiary with Beacon Insurance, positioning the combined firm for a bigger footprint in Trinidad and Tobago. Grenada in the Spotlight: Grenada’s Anderson Peters finished fourth in the Commonwealth Games javelin storylines, while the wider decathlon battle continues to feature Grenada’s Linden Victor. Climate & Coastal Risk: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study flags insurance gaps in hurricane-exposed Caribbean countries, including Grenada, where farmers and fishers often must replace losses themselves. Youth & Skills: Grenada’s YOUtrepreneur programme awarded seed grants up to EC$3,000 for agribusiness and agri-tech, including a platform linking farmers to institutional buyers. Environment Tech: Flow Grenada and Grenada Green Group are rolling out plastic recycling bins in secondary schools to cut waste heading to Perseverance dump and the sea.

Commonwealth Games (Grenada): Grenada’s Anderson Peters finished 4th in the men’s javelin as Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage won the event in Glasgow; Peters’ 83.88m put him just off the medals, while Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem also featured in the wider final picture. Commonwealth Games (Grenada): In decathlon action, Grenada’s Lindon Victor led after Day 2, with Tejaswin Shankar taking bronze after fighting through injury—another reminder of how athletics is driving regional tech-and-performance interest. Grenada Tech & Jobs: Foodhub Grenada is hiring a Customer Service Representative for its live SaaS platform—tech-savvy applicants with strong communication and customer support skills are invited to apply. Climate-smart cocoa: Belmont Estate hosted an EU/ITC-led cocoa post-harvest training for 30+ participants to boost fine-flavour quality and competitiveness. Plastic reduction: Flow Grenada and Grenada Green Group launched the first school recycling bin, with 10 bins planned across secondary schools to cut plastic waste and protect the marine environment. Insurance gaps: A Lloyd’s study flags that hurricane-exposed farmers, fishers and tourism workers in Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada often remain uninsured, leaving them to replace losses themselves. Youth enterprise: The YOUtrepreneur Programme awarded seed grants up to EC$3,000 and loans for youth-led agribusiness and agri-tech ventures. Regional policy: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley is pushing for a five-year transition away from citizenship-by-investment, warning of an “existential threat” to Eastern Caribbean economies.

Visa Policy: The US State Department has made its visa bond programme permanent, letting consular officers require some B-1/B-2 applicants to post bonds of up to USD 20,000 before a visa is issued, after a year-long pilot. Caribbean Climate Risk: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study says many farmers, fishers and tourism workers in hurricane-exposed Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada are left to replace major losses because they lack insurance, pointing to gaps from government financing to household coverage. Grenada Cocoa Skills: Over 30 participants in Grenada’s cocoa sector completed a 3-day post-harvest training at Belmont Estate, aimed at boosting fine-flavour quality and competitiveness through EU/ITC/OACPS support. Youth & Agritech Funding: Ten young entrepreneurs received seed grants (up to EC$3,000) under the YOUtrepreneur Programme, including projects in climate-smart farming and a platform linking farmers to institutional buyers. STEM & Learning: CXC is rolling out a reformed School-Based Assessment framework in 2026, with stronger moderation and a responsible generative AI policy for assessments. Plastic Recycling Push: Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group installed the first school recycling bin, with 10 bins planned across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to cut plastic waste. Geothermal Jobs Pipeline: The Government of Grenada has issued expressions of interest for key consultancy roles (EHS officer, civil engineer, and procurement/contract management) for the Grenada Geothermal Drilling Project.

Jobs & Digital Skills: Foodhub Grenada is hiring 5 Customer Service Representatives for its live SaaS platform, with rotating shifts and a focus on app comfort, strong communication, and problem-solving. Climate-Smart Cocoa: Over 30 cocoa producers across Grenada’s value chain completed a 3-day post-harvest training at Belmont Estate, backed by an EU/ITC programme to boost fine-flavour quality and competitiveness. Youth & Agritech Funding: The YOUtrepreneur Programme awarded 10 seed grants (up to EC$3,000) and supports youth-led ventures, including apiculture and an agri-tech platform linking farmers to institutional buyers. Green Tech in Schools: Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group launched plastic recycling bins at St John’s Christian Secondary School, with 10 bins planned across secondary schools to cut waste and protect local waterways. Renewable Energy Procurement: Grenada’s Geothermal Drilling Project is seeking consultancy services, including an Environmental Health and Safety Officer, a Project Civil Engineer, and a Procurement/Contract Management Officer. STEM & Learning Pathways: CASE highlighted its climate-smart agriculture and research role during an OECS Skills and Innovation Study Tour, as Grenada builds centres of excellence for skills training.

Caribbean Insurance & Climate Risk: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study says hurricane-hit farmers, fishers and tourism workers in Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada often have to replace boats, crops and equipment themselves because most livelihoods and assets remain uninsured. Youth & Agritech Funding: Grenada’s YOUtrepreneur Programme handed out seed grants up to EC$3,000 and 1% concessional loans up to EC$30,000 to youth-led agribusiness and agri-tech ventures, including a bee-farming plan and a farmer-to-institution buyer platform. Education & Skills: CASE highlighted climate-smart agriculture and innovation during an OECS SKIP study tour, as Grenada moves to set up Agriculture Centre of Excellence training. Environment & Waste Tech: Flow Grenada and Grenada Green Group launched recycling bins in secondary schools to cut plastic pollution and ease pressure on the Perseverance dump site. Heritage Under Threat: Grenada National Trust won a temporary High Court injunction to pause demolition of the historic Drill Yard, calling for a 120-day halt and professional heritage assessment. Energy & Jobs Pipeline: Government of Grenada issued REOI notices for key consultancy roles (EHSO, civil engineer, procurement/contract management) tied to the Grenada Geothermal Drilling Project. AI & Governance: Regional coverage also points to growing focus on AI governance and AI-enabled systems, including smart, data-driven approaches in public administration.

Commonwealth Games Tech & Sport: Neeraj Chopra returned to form by qualifying for the men’s javelin final at CWG 2026 with a best throw of 79.61m, joining Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh in the medal round, while Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem also advanced and Grenada’s Anderson Peters is in the mix. Education & Learning Tech: Grenada’s CASE (College of Agriculture, Science and Education) hosted an OECS SKIP study tour focused on climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness, workforce development and research—aimed at strengthening regional skills and innovation. Environment & Waste Tech: Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group launched a youth plastic recycling push, installing the first bottle recycling bin at St John’s Christian Secondary School and planning 10 bins across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to cut landfill and marine pollution. Heritage Protection: Grenada National Trust secured an interim High Court injunction to pause demolition of the historic Drill Yard, urging a 120-day halt and professional heritage assessment before any irreversible work. Energy & Engineering Procurement: Government of Grenada opened REOI notices for key consultancy roles (EHS Officer, Project Civil Engineer, and Procurement/Contract Management) tied to the Grenada Geothermal Drilling Project. AI & Governance (Regional): CARICOM tax administrators meet in Guyana (27–31 July) under a “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” theme, spotlighting how technology and analytics can modernize compliance and revenue services.

Grenada Environment & Heritage: Grenada National Trust wins a temporary High Court injunction to pause demolition of the historic Drill Yard in St George’s, urging a 120-day halt, expert assessment, and proper heritage consultation. Plastic Waste Tech in Schools: Flow Grenada and Grenada Green Group (with US$10,000 from Liberty Caribbean Foundation) install the first recycling bin at St John’s Christian Secondary School, with 10 bins planned across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to cut plastic pollution. Renewables Procurement: Government of Grenada launches expressions of interest for key consultancy roles for the Grenada Geothermal Drilling Project, including an Environmental Health and Safety Officer, a Project Civil Engineer, and procurement/contract management support. Regional Climate Education: CCCCC opens a youth short story competition (ages 18–25) on imagining a climate-secure future; AI-generated entries won’t be accepted. STEM & Skills: CASE highlights climate-smart agriculture and research as it hosts an OECS SKIP study tour, while Grenada also pushes MSME growth through government support and digital/technology capacity building.

Education & AI in Assessment: CXC explains why it’s reforming the School-Based Assessment framework, including 100% moderation, tighter checks on original student work, and a 2026 Responsible Generative AI Policy with guidance for teachers. Environment & Heritage: Grenada National Trust wins a temporary High Court injunction to pause demolition of the historic Drill Yard, arguing safety can be handled without destroying the site and calling for a 120-day halt plus expert assessment. Climate & Youth Innovation: CCCCC launches a youth short story competition (ages 18–25) for a climate-secure Caribbean; AI-generated entries won’t be accepted. Agriculture & Skills: CASE highlights agricultural innovation for OECS education leaders, linking climate-smart farming, agribusiness, and workforce development to Grenada’s new Agriculture Centre of Excellence. Waste & Recycling Tech: Flow Grenada and Grenada Green Group install the first plastic bottle recycling bin at a St John’s secondary school, with 10 bins planned across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Regional Tech Governance: CARICOM tax administrators meet in Guyana under a theme of smart, data-driven, AI-enabled revenue systems.

Women & Security Rankings: The 2025/26 Women, Peace and Security Index puts Northern Europe at the top, with Denmark, Iceland and Norway leading, ranking 181 countries on women’s inclusion, justice and safety. Local Heritage Under Threat: Grenada National Trust wins a temporary High Court injunction to pause demolition of the historic Drill Yard, urging a 120-day stop and a professional heritage assessment. Agriculture & Skills: CASE (Grenada) hosts an OECS SKIP study tour, spotlighting climate-smart farming, agribusiness training and research as Grenada sets up centres of excellence. Circular Economy in Schools: Flow Grenada and Grenada Green Group launch plastic recycling bins in secondary schools, starting at St John’s Christian Secondary School, with support from the Liberty Caribbean Foundation. STEM & Regional Learning: CARICOM’s Digitalisation of TVET Delivery Project reports progress from regionally built online learning units, including training across Grenada and other member states. Climate Youth Call: CCCCC opens a youth short story competition (ages 18–25) on a climate-secure future, with AI-free submissions and prizes including a MacBook Neo.

Agriculture & Skills: Grenada’s CASE hosted an OECS Skills and Innovation Project study tour, spotlighting climate-smart farming, agribusiness training, and research as Grenada moves to launch its Agriculture Centre of Excellence. Heritage Under Threat: The Grenada National Trust secured a temporary court injunction to pause demolition of the historic Drill Yard, urging a 120-day halt, professional heritage assessment, and proper statutory consultation. Brewing Science: Carib Brewery sponsored three brewers to complete Germany’s World Brewing Academy diploma, training them across the full brewing value chain and quality practices. Digital TVET: CARICOM’s Digitalisation of TVET Delivery Project says four pilot countries integrated digital learning solutions, with Grenada among the trained focal points supporting long-term regional delivery. Environment & Youth Recycling: Flow Grenada and Grenada Green Group launched the first school recycling bin, with 10 bins planned to cut plastic waste and protect the marine environment. Regional Climate Writing: CCCCC opened a youth short story competition for 18–25-year-olds, with AI-free submissions and a MacBook Neo prize. Geothermal Readiness: Grenada’s geothermal drilling project posts REOI consultancy roles for EHS, a project civil engineer, and procurement/contract management.

Caribbean Ports & Tech: Hydrography is being pushed as cruise numbers keep climbing, with outdated nautical charts flagged as a safety and environmental risk for island ports. Grenada Environment (Youth Recycling): Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group (G3), backed by the Liberty Caribbean Foundation, installed the first plastic bottle recycling bin at St John’s Christian Secondary School, with 10 bins planned across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to cut waste at Perseverance. Climate Litigation Watch: The Grantham Research Institute reports 3,600 climate cases filed across 62 countries, including Grenada’s first-ever filings, showing climate disputes are spreading and getting more complex. Health Tech Upgrade (St Lucia): Hochiki’s networked fire life-safety system helped reopen St Jude’s Hospital after its 2009 rebuild, covering specialist wings and new operating theatres. Regional Education Digitalisation: CARICOM’s Digitalisation of TVET Delivery Project says four pilot countries integrated digital learning units, including training for instructors and focal points in Grenada and other member states. Grenada Energy (Procurement): Government of Grenada issued REOI notices for roles supporting the Grenada Geothermal Drilling Project, including an Environmental Health and Safety Officer, a Project Civil Engineer, and procurement/contract management support. AI Governance Debate: Coverage of global AI governance discussions highlights calls for “just and equitable” systems and ongoing questions about security and ethics as AI adoption accelerates.

Regional Air Connectivity: Antigua and Barbuda PM Gaston Browne renewed calls for an OECS-owned regional airline, arguing delays and cancellations are disrupting travel across the Eastern Caribbean, and proposing joint government ownership with private commercial management. Climate Litigation Watch: The Grantham Research Institute reports 3,600 climate cases filed across 62 countries, including first-ever filings in Grenada, with 249 new cases in 2025 and more than 50 company targets. Fire Safety Tech in Healthcare: St Jude’s Hospital in St Lucia reopened after its 2009 rebuild with a networked Hochiki life-safety system spanning specialist wings and public areas. Maritime Accountability: Guyana President Irfaan named a five-member Commission of Inquiry panel into the MV Barima tragedy, led by maritime and legal experts. AI Governance Debate: Coverage highlights the global push to govern AI, including China’s proposal for a “just and equitable” global AI governance system. Education Digitisation: CARICOM’s Digitalisation of TVET Delivery Project says it trained instructors and built CARICOM-tailored online learning units for countries including Grenada. Grenada Energy Pipeline Prep: Grenada’s geothermal drilling project is moving ahead with new consultancy tenders for an Environmental Health and Safety Officer, a Project Civil Engineer, and procurement/contract management support. Heritage vs Demolition: Grenada National Trust urges an independent conservation-focused assessment before further demolition at the Drill Yard, citing public safety and heritage risks.

Hospital Safety Tech: St Jude’s Hospital in St Lucia has reopened after its 2009 fire rebuild, now protected by a networked Hochiki Latitude fire control system with ESP addressable devices across specialist wings, operating theatres, pharmacy, dialysis support and public areas. Maritime & Environment: A new Caribbean look at chemical fishing warns how hard it is to detect and how it damages marine life and coral reefs, using the spiny lobster trade as a key example. AI Governance: The week’s AI debate keeps rolling, from an overview of how AI is reshaping transport and risk to calls for a “just and equitable” global AI governance system following a Shanghai conference. Regional Skills Digitisation: CARICOM’s Digitalisation of TVET Delivery Project says it boosted digital training capacity, with pilot countries integrating solutions and instructors in Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago trained to sustain delivery. Grenada Energy Pipeline: Grenada’s geothermal drilling project is moving ahead, with REOI notices for an Environmental Health and Safety Officer, a Project Civil Engineer, and procurement/contract management support. Caribbean Policy & Mobility: Commentary flags how US visa and immigration changes could reshape Caribbean access, with Grenada noted among higher-exposure cases. Public Health Data: St Vincent and the Grenadines advances integrated health surveillance guidelines with PAHO/WHO support to strengthen early detection and coordinated response.

Grenada Search & Safety: A North Carolina man says his wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, has been missing since July 22 after she was last seen at Grand Anse Beach in St George’s, and he’s asking for contacts in Grenada to help search efforts. Regional Maritime Accountability: President Dr Irfaan named a five-member Commission of Inquiry panel into the MV Barima tragedy, with legal expert Godfrey Phillip Smith leading and maritime safety specialist Captain Hamada Fouda on the team. AI Governance & Policy: Coverage highlights the global push to govern AI, including China’s World AI Conference message on building a “just and equitable” system and the wider debate on how rules should keep up with fast innovation. CARICOM Tech for Skills: CARICOM’s Digitalisation of TVET Delivery Project says it boosted digital training capacity across member states, including Grenada, through region-owned online learning support. Grenada Environment & Heritage: The Grenada National Trust is calling for an independent conservation-focused assessment before irreversible demolition continues at the historic Drill Yard. Health Tech in the Region: St Vincent and the Grenadines is advancing Integrated Health Surveillance Guidelines with PAHO support, aiming for a living online policy tool for faster public health decisions. Earth Science Update: Trinidad and Tobago reported three earthquakes within an hour, with one felt in Grenada.