Cabinet has approved increased funding for unsponsored Steelbands and Steelpan players for Carnival 2025.

This announcement comes today from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts.

It says the measures aim to enhance participation in Panorama and foster greater inclusivity within the Steelband community.

New Funding Measures for Carnival 2025:

• Increased Grants for Unsponsored Steelbands

Unsponsored Steelbands participating in Panorama 2025 will benefit from enhanced financial support. These grants will be available to each of the 54 Single Pan Bands and 96 Conventional Bands entering the competition:

– Single Pan Bands – Grant allocations have increased from $7,500 to $10,000 per band.

– Conventional Bands – Grant allocations have increased from $15,000 to $20,000 per band.

•  Increased Remittances for Steelpan Players

To encourage greater participation and support for Steelpan players in their preparations for Panorama 2025, the Government has increased the remittance provided to players. The financial support for each player has been raised from $500 to $800, helping to cover essential costs such as food and transportation during the competition.

Eligibility requirements for players:

• Must be a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Must possess a valid national ID or other legitimate identification.
• Must be registered with an eligible Steelband.
• Must perform with a band through to the Preliminary round of the Panorama competition.

Carnival Monday and Tuesday will fall on March 3rd and 4th in 2025.