Education Awards
Direct financial support for young people taking their first step into further education.
Markonia Foundation
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.
Markonia Foundation helps young people in Barbados access education, develop their gifts and build futures rooted in purpose.
What we do
Four ways we back young Barbadians.
Sport & Youth Development
Backing coaches, clubs and programmes that build discipline, confidence and teamwork.
Culture & Arts
Investing in young Caribbean creators carrying Bajan culture forward.
Community Resilience
Standing with communities through disaster relief and long-term partnership.
Featured programme
The Markonia Award
Our flagship programme helps eligible 16–18 year-old Barbadians entering the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology with first-year tuition fees, books, uniforms and equipment.
- First-year tuition fees
- Books and study materials
- Uniforms and equipment
Our founders
Mark and Sonia Corbin
Barbadian by roots and UK-based by circumstance, Mark and Sonia built Markonia Foundation around a simple conviction: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.
The foundation is their way of making sure young people at home are seen, supported and given a real chance.
Impact snapshot
Small, focused and accountable.
6
Awardees supported since 2023
2
Schools partnered
100%
Of award funds to first-year costs
Latest stories
News from the foundation
Announcement
Markonia signs MoU with SJPI
The MOU is set to last three years and may be amended by mutual consent
by Mark Corbin
Trustee note
Why Barbados, Why Now?
Mark and Sonia Corbin on the conviction behind Markonia Foundation.
by Dr. Chesterfield Browne
Milestone
Six students in three years
Supporting Barbados’ future technical leaders, there is no single route to success.
by Mark Corbin
Give
Your gift becomes someone's first step.
100% of award funds go directly to first-year costs for eligible students in Barbados.