– as Government expands child and elder care services
WOMEN across Guyana are being encouraged to register for the government’s Care Economy: Co-Invest Initiative, a transformative programme designed to expand affordable child and elder care services while creating new opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, was recently rolled out nationwide and aims to support individuals and groups interested in establishing home- and community-based care centres. Through the programme, the government will provide financial and technical assistance to help participants launch or expand care service businesses in their communities.
According to the ministry, the initiative represents a significant step in the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and the strengthening of social support systems. By investing in care providers, the programme seeks to create safe and affordable spaces for children and senior citizens while enabling parents and caregivers to pursue employment, education and other opportunities.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, urged interested persons to familiarise themselves with the programme and submit their expressions of interest through the registration process.
“First, I want you to read about what is the care economy and how you can be involved. Now, how can you register? If you look on the flyer, you will see a QR code. It is simple. Scan the QR code, answer the questions and register your expression of interest,” Minister Persaud explained.
The registration flyer is available on the ministry’s official Facebook page.
Participants selected under the programme may benefit from the refurbishment or rehabilitation of their care facilities, along with government funding to create safe, child-friendly and elder-friendly environments that provide affordable care services.
The ministry will also offer ongoing monitoring, guidance and technical support to ensure service providers meet established standards.
Recognising that some prospective participants may not yet possess the necessary qualifications, the government has committed to providing free training opportunities.
“So take the training support. It’s offered online and in person, so make yourself ready for this initiative that will be rolling out in every region across communities,” Minister Persaud said.
She further encouraged residents to assess the needs within their communities before applying.
“What you need to do right now is to do a survey in your community. One, is there a need for these services? Two, who are the people you would like to have in a group with you if you would want to register for this as a group? You can also register as an individual for this,” the minister advised.
She also encouraged interested persons to participate in upcoming community and virtual consultations where additional information about the programme will be shared.
Minister Persaud noted that the initiative is designed to address longstanding barriers to care by expanding access to quality services while simultaneously generating employment and business opportunities.
“This means good care services, safe care services, services for children and elders, employment, empowerment, and entrepreneurship or business,” she said.
The Care Economy framework was first announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali in November 2025 as part of a broader national strategy to strengthen social protection and human development.
The President described the care economy as a social and economic structure in which resources, infrastructure and programmes are intentionally designed to support the well-being, empowerment and productivity of individuals and families, particularly the most vulnerable.
Government officials have said the initiative is expected to create sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for women, while expanding access to quality care services in communities throughout the country.
