Recover Guyana’s ENGAGE Project Celebrates Graduation of 100 Green Entrepreneurs

The ENGAGE Project, a transformative initiative led by Recover Guyana to inspire and equip Guyana’s youth to lead in environmental sustainability and green entrepreneurship, celebrated the graduation of 100 budding entrepreneurs from Regions 3 and 6 at a ceremony on April 12, 2025, at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel.

Dr. Dave Lalltoo, President and Founder of Recover Guyana along with senior leadership of Recover Guyana, Mr. Justin Thompson, Senior Manager, Country Management Office, Scotiabank Guyana, High Commissioner Gale Miller, High Commissioner of Belize to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Mr. John Egdhill, Senior Director of Investment, Go-Invest, Mr. Shri Mukesh Kaushik, First Secretary, High Commission of India to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana proudly stand with recipients of cash awards through the ENGAGE project.

In collaboration with Scotiabank and Van Oord, Recover Guyana has implemented the ENGAGE Project to support a new generation of changemakers who are passionate about the environment and ready to create impactful, eco-friendly businesses. Through a series of tailored workshops on financial literacy, sustainable business management, and mentorship, the project’s pilot phase has empowered 100 participants with the skills and knowledge needed to innovate and succeed in Guyana’s green economy. “ENGAGE is more than just a project; it’s a powerful movement that bridges the gap between environmental consciousness and economic opportunity in Guyana,” said Dr. Dave Lalltoo, President and Founder of Recover Guyana. “We are incredibly proud of our graduates, who have demonstrated a deep commitment to sustainability and the drive to turn their ideas into meaningful businesses. Together, with our partners, we are helping to build a more sustainable and prosperous future for Guyana.”

Recover Guyana and its partners Scotiabank Guyana and Van Oord celebrate the graduation of 100 green entrepreneurs through the ENGAGE project.

The ENGAGE Project has made a profound impact on the lives of Guyanese youth. Devi Sarju-Sylvester, a participant of the Region 3 cohort, said, “Over the past few months, the ENGAGE Project has transformed the way we view business and environmental responsibility. In less than three months, we learned how to start and manage our own businesses while making meaningful, eco-conscious decisions.” Jamal Butcher, an aspiring entrepreneur and participant of the Region 6 cohort said “I’ve come to realize that simple, everyday choices like using recyclable packaging, reusing materials, and adopting sustainable farming practices can make a powerful difference in turning a business into a genuinely green enterprise.”

With support from Scotiabank and Van Oord, the project provided its participants with the needed resources to help turn their eco-friendly ventures into thriving enterprises that contribute to Guyana’s economic growth and transformation. As part of the program's commitment to nurturing green entrepreneurship, seed funding totaling 2 million GYD was awarded to 15 outstanding participants with innovative green business ideas. The recipients include Donelle Harvey, Devi Patricia Sarju-Sylvester, Ingrid Cozier, Bertlyn Asadie Rodney-Hawker, Tishanie Sarjou, Sonia Exeter, Alistair Dick-Grant, Calvin Roberts, Winston Akeal Bruce, Jamal Butcher, Anisa Munisar, Shegoney Puran, Ouma Mohabir, Medina Maglenis Ornate, and Wakeel Boodhoo.

Scotiabank, a proud sponsor of the ENGAGE Project, reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and sustainability. Representing Scotiabank, Justin Thompson, Senior Manager, Country Management Office shared “At Scotiabank, we believe in providing opportunities for youth to discover their full potential, and our partnership with Recover Guyana serves as a springboard for so many youth to learn about and make progress in their entrepreneurial journeys, in particular, their endeavours that promote environmental consciousness.”

Mr. Justin Thompson, Senior Manager, Country Management Office, Scotiabank Guyana discusses environmental sustainability with a participant of Region 3 cohort at the graduation ceremony of the ENGAGE project

Reflecting on the partnership, Dutch international marine contracting company, Van Oord, offered remarks “At Van Oord our purpose is to create a better world for future generations. With this in mind, we are proud to announce our commitment to a social initiative, for which we are partnering with the NGO Recover Guyana. This NGO is led by Guyanese young professionals. Our goal is to empower nature and communities through creating new opportunities and possibilities for today’s world and for generations to come. Through Recover Guyana, we expect to maximise our positive impact on the vulnerable youths by providing them with the skills and knowledge needed for sustainable employment and positive community engagement. Therefore, this project fits perfectly with our value system and, we cannot wait to see Recover’s work come into life.”

The ENGAGE Project aligns closely with Guyana’s vision for a greener future and highlights the importance of youth-led initiatives in advancing environmental and economic progress. As the graduates step into their roles as environmental entrepreneurs and advocates, they are empowered to transform their visionary green projects into viable businesses, accelerating impact on both the environment and their communities. Through the ENGAGE project, Recover Guyana will train 1000 youth nationwide, with Regions 4 and 5 slated for upcoming implementation.