CIBC Caribbean, through its ComTrust Foundation charitable arm, has donated US$20,000 (J$3,040,000) to support the Nano-Enterprise Initiative under Project STAR (Social Transformation and Renewal), a five-year national initiative aimed at catalysing social and economic renewal in under-resourced communities across Jamaica.

Project STAR—established by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) in partnership with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF)—has been active since July 2022, and now operates in the Rose Gardens, Parade Gardens (Kingston), Savanna-la-Mar, May Pen West, and Salt Spring (St. James) communities.

The Nano-Enterprise programme equips at-risk youth and residents with entrepreneurial potential through capacity-building training, business mentorship, entrepreneurship and financial literacy education, assistance with documentation (e.g. birth certificates, TRNs), access to grants used to purchase inputs for their businesses and ongoing job placement support.

To date, Project STAR has enabled 891 residents to access economic opportunities, 18 per cent of whom are at-risk youth, provided business development support to 575 entrepreneurs, delivered psycho-social services to 693 residents including parents and children, developed four Community Transformation Action Plans (CTAPs) led by over 1,500 community members, achieved a 59 per cent increase in stakeholder collaboration and launched employment programmes in Savanna-la-Mar and May Pen since January 2024.

Mark St Hill, chief executive officer of CIBC Caribbean, said the “Initiative fits perfectly with everything we do—health, youth, and community. That’s why we immediately approved this grant from our headquarters in Barbados through the ComTrust Foundation. For the trustees, it was a no-brainer. Congratulations to Project STAR for the incredible work being done. The key to continued support is keeping us engaged—keep us involved in the story, and you’ll have partners for the long term.”

Saffrey Brown, project director at Project STAR, noted that they worked with “high-risk youth across our five communities in Jamaica—young people who show entrepreneurial tendencies but lack access and structure”. 

He added that through their Nano-Enterprise programme, they help train and develop the participants, assisting them in establishing their businesses and providing them with grants to purchase essential tools and equipment. He said the first two cohorts from June and July last year recorded a combined turnover of J$8.4 million, with 79 per cent of businesses still operational. 

“This kind of targeted support—combined with entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, and even help securing birth certificates—is changing lives,” he added.

Keith Duncan, Project STAR director, emphasised its broader vision, noting that the talent and potential in the communities was immense but remained largely unrealised because of a lack of access and a structured path to development. 

“Life skills are foundational, and Project STAR embeds that into our approach. We ensure accountability through strong governance, quarterly reports, and measurable KPIs across our social, economic, and community engagement pillars. Our partnerships with churches, schools, social workers, and clubs enable activity-based, measurable transformation,” he said. 

“This is what private sector-led development looks like. STAR is showing what’s possible when you combine community insight with strategic intervention and focused impact. The people want better, and it is our job to enable and empower them,” he added.

Project STAR’s approach has already impacted over 7,000 individuals directly, and partnerships with government ministries, departments, and agencies continue to expand. The initiative is not only rebuilding economic activity but also tackling root issues such as broken family structures and youth disenfranchisement that fuel crime and violence.

“Can you imagine the long-term impact on crime if we reach our youth early, teaching them literacy, numeracy, and life skills alongside real economic opportunities? That is the vision we are proud to support through Project STAR,” said Nigel Holness, managing director of CIBC Caribbean.