Making Waves

Making Waves A Caribbean Social Innovation Guide

A Caribbean Export Development Agency action under the EU-LAC Social Accelerator, co-funded by the European Union under the Global Gateway Investment Agenda.

Project Credits Commissioned by Caribbean Export Development Agency under the EU-LAC Programme .

DATA & DESIGN SYNTHESIS, DESIGN STRATEGY, WRITING, EDITORIAL & SPANISH TRANSLATION Flourish by Design Ltd. consortium - Debbie Estwick; Juan Montalvan, PhD(candidate); Dr. Lesley-Ann Noel

PUBLICATION DESIGN & LAYOUT Flourish by Design Ltd. - Paul Massiah; Debbie Estwick

SOURCE RESEARCH & COUNTRY REPORTS This Guide draws upon research, analysis and ecosystem mapping undertaken through the EU LAC Social Accelerator Programme . Caribbean Export gratefully acknowledges the authors and consultants whose work informed the development of this publication. Caribbean Export acknowledges the many social innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders, ecosystem builders, public institutions, private sector enterprises, charities, academic institutions and development organisations whose knowledge, experiences and commitment informed this Guide. Their work continues to shape a stronger, more inclusive and innovative Caribbean. SPECIAL THANKS TO DONOR PARTNERS The EU-LAC Social Accelerator is funded by the European Union and implemented through a consortium of organisations working across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Consortium Lead CAINCO – Chamber of Industry, Commerce, Services and Tourism of Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Implementing Partners Caribbean Export Development Agency – Caribbean Tecnalia Research & Innovation – Spain Tecnológico de Monterrey – Mexico CACB – Brazilian Confederation of Trade and Business Associations – Brazil International Trade Centre (ITC) – International

PRODUCTION YEAR | 2026

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A Caribbean Social Innovation Guide

Table of Contents

4 6 8

Foreword About This Initiative How To Use This Guide

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PART ONE Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

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What is Social Innovation? Snapshot of Social Innovation in the Caribbeean Caribbean Social Innivation Overview Who Makes Up the Social Innovation Ecosystem?

Country Profile Snapshots

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Barbados Dominican Republic Jamaica Trinidad and Tobago

28 30 33 36

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16

22

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PART TWO Caribbean Social Innovation Poles

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Social Innovation Poles Across the Caribbean Economic Empowerment & Financial Inclusion

Entrepreneurship & the Social Economy Digital Transformation & Technology Health, Safety & Community Wellbeing Culture & Creative Livelihoods: The Orange Economy

48 50 52 54

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Education,Skills & Lifelong Learning Climate Resilience, Blue Economy & Environmental Sustainability

44 46

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Table of Contents

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PART THREE The Caribbean Social Innovator’s Guide

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Step 1 Starting with a Problem Step 2 Understand the People Step 3 Designing and Testing Your Idea Step 4 Build the Right Partnerships

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Step 5 Choose Your Path Step 6 Find Support and Resources Step 7 Grow Your Impact

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PART FOUR Caribbean Social Innovation Resources

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Resources & Next Steps Country Directory

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Barbados Dominican Republic Jamaica Trinidad and Tobago

76 80 82

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Glossary

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Foreword

Across the Caribbean, people and organisations are finding new ways to respond to the challenges that shape their communities. Social innovators are restoring ecosystems, creating jobs, improving education, supporting vulnerable communities, preserving culture, and reimagining how we live, work and care for one another. Community leaders, entrepreneurs, civil society organisations, public institutions, academia, and the private sector are each contributing ideas, resources, knowledge, and partnerships. Social innovation builds on something the Caribbean has always known: creativity, resilience, and collaboration are how small societies solve big problems. It is what turns local ideas into practical solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and create lasting impact. Making Waves: A Caribbean Social Innovation Guide was developed by the Caribbean Export Development Agency under the EU-LAC Social Accelerator to make this growing body of knowledge more visible, accessible, and useful. For too long, that knowledge has been scattered or worse yet, missing. Social innovators across the region often work in isolation, with limited insight into who is doing what, what support is available, and how to connect. Drawing on research, ecosystem mapping, and strategic roadmap work across Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, this Guide brings together, in a single bilingual resource, regional insights, country-level perspectives, a practical step-by-step pathway for innovators, and a directory of organisations and support for those seeking to understand, support, or advance social innovation in the Caribbean.

This publication is not only a record of what exists. It is an invitation to connect, collaborate, and act. The research behind it tells a clear story: the region does not lack ideas or talent. What too many innovators lack is an enabling environment, from legal frameworks that recognise enterprises that are both purpose-driven and income-generating, to financing that covers the real cost of running an organisation, to support that reaches women, young people, and communities beyond the main urban centres. Closing that gap is a shared task. Social innovation can emerge from many places: a community group responding to a local need, a young entrepreneur testing a new idea, a business opening opportunities for inclusion, a university generating evidence, or a public institution creating the conditions for change. Each has a role to play. Through the EU-LAC Social Accelerator, and with the support of the European Union under the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, Caribbean Export along the other implementing partners of this programme is proud to contribute to more inclusive, resilient, and connected social innovation ecosystems across the region. We see this work as central to our mission: an economy that grows by including more of its people is a stronger and more competitive economy. We hope this Guide supports those already doing the work, inspires new innovators to begin, and helps build the partnerships needed to turn today’s ripples into waves of lasting change across our Caribbean.

Leo Naut Deputy Executive Director Caribbean Export Development Agency

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About This Initiative

The Caribbean Social Innovation Guide was developed by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), an action under the EU-LAC Social Accelerator in the Caribbean, to make knowledge about social innovation in the region easier to find, understand and use. This Guide draws upon research, analysis and ecosystem mapping undertaken through the EU LAC Social Accelerator Programme across Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. This extensive work involved the systematic identification and characterisation of social innovation actors, ecosystems, hubs, and Poles within each country; an intersectional diagnostic of the opportunities and gaps facing each ecosystem (applying the EU’s Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) gender and inclusion framework); and the development of evidence-based strategic roadmaps to guide the strengthening and development of the social innovation Poles identified. Social innovation in the Caribbean remains a field with limited systematised, publicly available information. While social innovators, social entrepreneurs, and ecosystem-building organisations are active across the region, they operate in relative isolation, with limited knowledge of who is doing what, what support is available, and how to connect. Newcomers to the field face particular challenges in navigating the ecosystem and accessing the knowledge, networks, and resources they need to launch and scale their initiatives.

Caribbean Export is addressing this knowledge gap through the research, analysis and synthesis of data from all four participating countries into a single, comprehensive, bilingual resource: the Social Innovation Guide to the Caribbean. This guide makes key knowledge accessible to existing actors and aspiring social innovators across the Caribbean. More than a record of the research undertaken, it is a practical and accessible invitation and supportive resource to strengthen social innovation ecosystems, reduce inequality and foster greater social cohesion and inclusion across the Caribbean. About The EU-LAC Social Accelerator The EU-LAC Social Accelerator is a flagship initiative of the European Union under its Inclusive Societies in Latin America and the Caribbean Programme . It aims to reduce inequalities and strengthen social cohesion across the region - placing youth, women, and vulnerable groups at the heart of its mission. By fostering socially just, inclusive, and sustainable green and digital transitions, the programme ensures that development benefits reach those who need them most. With an EU contribution of €15 million over four years (2025–2029), the programme will strengthen social innovation ecosystems across Latin America and the Caribbean by connecting public institutions, the private sector, and civil society to co-create and scale impactful solutions.

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About the Initiative

Connecting Social Innovation to the Global Gateway

Facilitate access to financing by launching competitive calls for proposals, providing seed capital, and mobilising investment in high-impact social sectors. Promote collaboration and visibility for social innovation at both regional and global levels through networking, policy dialogue, and international exchanges. The EU-LAC Social Accelerator is funded by the European Union and implemented through a consortium of organisations working across Latin America and the Caribbean. Acknowledgements Caribbean Export gratefully acknowledges the authors and consultants whose work informed the development of this publication. We acknowledge the efforts of the many social innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders, ecosystem builders, public institutions, private sector enterprises, charities, academic institutions and development organisations whose knowledge, experiences and commitment informed this Guide. Their work continues to shape a stronger, more inclusive and innovative Caribbean. The Social Innovation Guide is a Caribbean Export Development Agency action under the EU-LAC Social Accelerator, co-funded by the European Union, under the Global Gateway Investment Agenda.

The EU-LAC Social Accelerator contributes to the EU LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA), part of the European Union’s wider Global Gateway strategy. The Global Gateway is the EU’s strategy to invest in sustainable and trusted connections that work for people and the planet. It focuses on boosting smart, clean and secure links in areas like digital, energy and transport, while also strengthening health, education and research systems. It addresses some of the most pressing global challenges, from fighting climate change, to improving health systems, and boosting competitiveness and security of supply chains. programme ensures that the green and digital transitions in Latin America and the Caribbean are socially just and inclusive, creating opportunities that reach women, youth, and vulnerable communities. By integrating social innovation into the GGIA framework, it aligns investment priorities with initiatives that generate tangible social impact, climate resilience, and equitable economic growth. Complementing the Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) , the EU-LAC Social Accelerator Develop and strengthen social innovation ecosystems that address pressing social challenges and support inclusive green and digital transitions. Boost the capacity of social innovation actors (including MSMEs, start-ups, and community organisations) through training, mentorship, incubation, and acceleration. The objectives of the programme are to:

Funded by the European Union.

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How to Use This Guide

Whether you’re exploring a new idea, growing a social enterprise, supporting communities, shaping policy or are simply curious about social innovation, this guide is designed to help you navigate the Caribbean social innovation ecosystem with confidence.

OPTION 2

OPTION 1

Read It Like a Book

Start Where You Are

Start at the beginning and follow the journey from understanding social innovation in the Caribbean to discovering the people, ideas, organisations and opportunities shaping change across the Caribbean. Along the way, you’ll find practical tools, inspiration, helpful tips and resources designed to help you build your knowledge and turn ideas into action.

Already have an idea? Exploring a challenge in your community? Curious about the Caribbean social innovation ecosystem? Jump straight to the sections that matter most to you and return whenever you need fresh ideas, practical guidance or new connections. This guide is designed to support you at every stage of your social innovation journey.

Social innovation is a journey, and no two journeys look the same. Wherever you’re starting from, we hope this guide helps you find your place, strengthen your impact, and become part of a growing community of people and organisations creating positive change across the Caribbean.

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“Question everything around you and don’t take anything at face value. Only when you question the world around you can you begin to see where change is needed. Ask why!”

EXCERPT FROM Design Social Change, p. 25 Lesley-Ann Noel & Stanford d.school, 2023

Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean PART ONE

01

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01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Across the Caribbean, social innovators are restoring ecosystems, creating jobs, improving education, supporting vulnerable communities, preserving culture and reimagining how we live, work and care for one another. Let’s explore what social innovation is, from a Caribbean perspective, why it matters, and how you can become part of it.

Social Innovation? What is

Social Innovation is about finding new, creative, and better ways to solve problems in our islands. It means working together to build a fairer community, help people who are left out or left behind, and turn big problems (like climate change or plastic waste) into positive opportunities that benefit everyone. Social innovation isn’t about having all the answers. The European Commission (EC) defines social innovation as: “New ideas that meet social needs, create social relationships, and forge new partnerships. These innovations can be products, services, or models that address unmet needs more effectively. The European Commission’s objective is to encourage the market uptake of innovative solutions and stimulate employment.”

Social Innovation in the Caribbean Context

The creation, testing, and scaling of fresh ideas, practical models, or new partnerships that meet community needs, reduce structural inequalities, and strengthen social cohesion. In the Caribbean, it is a vital mechanism for community survival. It occurs when diverse groups step up to transform an urgent local challenge or environmental threat into an opportunity for collective growth and resilience.

European Commission, Single Market and Economy, Strategy for Social Innovation https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/industry/ strategy/innovation/social_en

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Social Innovation vs Social Entrepreneurship While social innovation is about creating new or better ways to solve social or environmental challenges, social entrepreneurship is one way that social innovation comes to life. Social innovation focuses on the solution, whether that’s a product, service, programme, partnership, policy or community initiative that creates positive change, while social entrepreneurship is about an organisation or individual using entrepreneurial approaches to deliver that solution. Many social enterprises are social innovators, but social innovation can also happen within governments, non-profit organisations, schools, universities, community groups and businesses. In other words, social innovation is the idea or approach; social entrepreneurship is one of the ways that idea can be put into practice. From Entrepreneurship to Social Enterprise Many entrepreneurs choose to create social enterprises as a way to turn their ideas into lasting impact. But what exactly is a social enterprise? A business or organisation with a heart can be a social enterprise. It can be a real business that makes money by selling products or services, but it does not exist just to make the owners rich. It can be a charity that earns or raises money. Social enterprises are committed to using their money and influence to do good things like looking after people or protecting the planet (like a business that recycles plastic while creating good jobs for single mothers or youth).

Social Enterprise for the Caribbean Context

A social enterprise refers to a hybrid business model that intentionally connects commercial trading or revenue generation with a core, non-negotiable social or environmental mission. Operating on a “Triple Bottom Line” philosophy, a social enterprise treats the well being of the People, the health of the Planet, and financial Prosperity with equal strategic weight, reinvesting its profits directly back into the community or the environment to sustain its operations independently.

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

All O’ We! It takes all of us. We can all help to solve the problems that affect us. Anyone can become a social innovator!

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01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Why Social Innovation Matters for the Caribbean

Many of the Caribbean region’s challenges, whether climate resilience, financial inclusion, or digital transformation, cannot be solved by one organisation acting alone. Social innovation helps people solve problems that traditional approaches cannot solve on their own. It brings together communities, businesses, enterprises, governments, researchers, donor agencies, development banks, regional organisations, civil society and more to develop new ideas, strengthen existing ones and create lasting social, environmental and economic impact. For the Caribbean, social innovation matters now more than ever. Our islands are full of creative, resourceful people who have always found ways to overcome challenges. However, many of the issues we face today are bigger and more connected than ever before. Climate change is affecting our coastlines, communities and livelihoods. Climate vulnerability makes resilience an immediate concern rather than a

distant one. Too many people still struggle to access opportunities, finance and support. Organisations doing important work often find it difficult to get the resources they need to grow and continue serving their communities. At the same time, strong social relationships and new ideas can spread quickly because our islands are small. However, our small sizes, small markets and limited resources can make growth difficult. With planning, coordination, strong partnerships and collaboration, social innovation can help uncover and grow solutions to some of the problems that affect Caribbean people most. Here are three key areas, based on research across select islands, where social innovation can make a big difference in the Caribbean.

Climate Change & Building Resilience

The Caribbean is one of the regions most affected by climate change and natural disasters. Social innovation helps us prepare for the future, not just respond or react to crises (like hurricanes). From community-led initiatives and renewable energy projects to new ways of managing waste and protecting natural resources, social innovation helps communities become stronger and more resilient. With social innovation, we can co-design “climate-shock absorbent” solutions that help us move from reaction to proactive resilience and adaptation. This might look like a distributed power grid using solar energy and battery storage to help keep schools running after a storm, or transforming Sargassum seaweed from an environmental nuisance into products that create jobs and generate income.

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Coordination, Collaboration & Strengthening Organisations Many charities and other organisations that are making a difference in their communities rely on short-term grants or project funding, making it difficult to plan for the future or for their leaders, who are often women, to sustain themselves. In addition, the complex challenge or high administrative cost of meeting funding rules can act as a barrier that excludes smaller organisations or community groups. Projects and groups that do not have the financial or human resources to meet compliance requirements can remain excluded even when they are doing good work. Social innovation encourages new ways of working that combine purpose with long-term sustainability, helping organisations build partnerships, collaborate for greater access, coordinate efforts and resources, avoid unnecessary duplication, take advantage of shared opportunities, diversify income and build stronger, more sustainable organisations. This can help organisations strengthen their work and governance, and continue creating impact for years to come.

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean Promoting Inclusion & Expanding Opportunity

Great ideas can come from anyone, but not everyone has the same opportunity to bring those ideas to life. Many young people, women, grassroots organisations and community leaders struggle to access finance and other forms of support. Social innovation helps create new pathways so that more capable people have the chance to contribute, lead and succeed. For example, brilliant youth and resourceful women are sometimes excluded from accessing finance because they don’t have traditional assets, such as land or property, to offer as security for a loan. Social collateral, sometimes called character-based lending, can help them to gain access to finance for their social innovation venture. This social innovation approach considers a person’s reputation, trusted community endorsements, experience and track record of creating positive impact. By recognising these forms of social capital and community value, more women, young people and capable change-makers can access the finance they need to grow their ideas.

Ultimately, social innovation matters because it helps us solve our problems in the Caribbean by turning local ideas into lasting solutions. Social innovation builds on our creativity, our resilience and our relationships to build stronger communities, healthier environments and new opportunities for today and for future generations.

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User-driven Innovation

A snapshot of the social innovation ecosystem in the Caribbean

Needs-driven Services

User-friendly products

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Social Innovation Community

What makes up the social Innovation ecosystem

Academia

Non-profit Sector

Social Enterprises Startups Private Companies Private Sector

Government

International Organisations

Universities & Research Centres

NGO’s Charities

Ministries & Municipalities Statutory Organisations

Multi- laterals International non-profits

To enable social innovation in the Caribbean we need

Financial Mechanisms

Clear Governance

Stakeholder Collaboration

Stakeholder Coordination

Regional Connectivity

Policies

Frameworks

Good

Some Action, Needs Improvement

Needs Intervention

Ideal State of social innovation in the Caribbean

Financial Mechanisms

Clear Governance

Policies

Frameworks

Primary driver : Government Supported by : Academia, NGOs, Private sector

Primary drivers : Government, International Organisations, Academia Supported by : Non- profit sector & Social enterprises

Primary driver: Government, Private sector Supported by: International Organisations

Primary driver: Government Supported by: International Organisations

Stakeholder Collaboration

Stakeholder Coordination

Regional Connectivity

Select extraction from the Living Lab Model Source: Guide to social innovation - Publications Office of the EU https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/ publication/12d044fe-617a-4131-93c2-5e0a951a095c?

Primary driver: Varies Supported by: All ecosystem actors

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Caribbean Social Innovation Overview

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Under the EU-LAC Social Accelerator, a mapping of social innovation Poles was conducted across Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. While each country had its own priorities and context, the research painted a picture of the Caribbean’s social innovation ecosystem as diverse, resilient and growing, revealing many shared strengths, common challenges and exciting opportunities for the future. While every Caribbean country is unique, the research showed that the selection of islands also shared similar opportunities and challenges that may be relevant across other Caribbean islands. While social innovation is developing in different ways across the region, common themes are emerging. The Caribbean already has many of the ingredients needed for social innovation to thrive. By building on our strengths, addressing shared challenges, coordinating and working together more effectively, the region has an opportunity to create solutions that improve lives for generations to come.

Social innovation

encourages new ways of working that combine purpose with long-term sustainability

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01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Strengths Across the Region

The Caribbean’s greatest strength is its people. Across all four countries, the primary competitive advantage was the local social network: this expressed itself in a rich culture of informal connections, community spirit and a

strong value for relationships, making Caribbean islands fertile ground for social innovation.

Some common regional strengths emerged:

The Power of “We” & Community Connections People naturally build relationships, form organic networks, share knowledge and collaborate, especially in a crisis.

“Sheroes”: Women Leading Social Change

Women are at the heart of community development, making up a majority of leadership roles across many civil society organisations in the countries studied.

Organised & Established Institutions

Growing Policy Support Governments across the region are increasingly recognising the importance of innovation, sustainability and inclusive development within their national plans.

Universities, research centres, innovation hubs and long-standing organisations provide valuable knowledge, expertise and support for innovators.

Common Challenges

While the Caribbean has many strengths, social innovators also face common barriers that make it harder for good ideas to become action, and for action to scale impact. Women lead a significant proportion of civil society organisations across the Caribbean, yet many continue to navigate funding models that make it difficult to cover core operating costs and invest in long-term sustainability. Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) scores were high, leaving youth challenged with the means to access finance when growing social innovation ventures and at risk for social exclusion.

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Some common regional challenges emerged:

Finding the Right Fit One of the biggest challenges is that many social enterprises do not fit neatly into existing legal or funding systems. Social enterprises combine purpose with income generation, but in many Caribbean countries there is no legal category that reflects this, though efforts are underway in some islands. As a result, they often have to choose between registering as a non-profit or as a traditional business, even though they are really both. This can limit their ability to generate income, access funding or benefit from policies designed to support either charities or businesses. Access to Finance & the Collateral Trap Not everyone starts with the same resources. Young people, women and grassroots organisations often have the passion, knowledge and community support to create change, but lack the land or property that traditional lenders require as security for loans. The Blessing and Burden of Care Many women leading charities and social initiatives also care for children, ageing parents or other family members. Pursuing opportunities such as training, networking or funding often means arranging and paying for care at home, adding extra demands on their time and finances. These competing responsibilities can make it more difficult to access opportunities, grow organisations and sustain long term impact.

The Cost of Compliance Applying for and managing grants often involves detailed applications, financial reporting and administrative requirements. While accountability is important, these processes can be difficult for small organisations, youth and grassroots initiatives with limited staff and resources. The administrative burden and lack of administrative and permanent staff capacity to navigate complex funding systems means that, as a result, some of the organisations closest to community challenges are also the ones least able to access funding and support. The Cost of Keeping the Lights On Many social innovation organisations rely on short term grants that fund projects but not the everyday costs of running an organisation, such as staff, rent, utilities, administration and other essential operating expenses. This impacts financial sustainability, meaning that some founders can’t actually afford to run their organisations. This often leaves organisations relying on unpaid work and personal sacrifices to keep operating while continuing to serve their communities.

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

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01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Losing Knowledge and Momentum Over time, cycles of short-term project funding make it difficult to plan ahead, retain talented people and grow lasting impact. When a funding cycle ends, organisations can suffer an erosion of institutional memory. This means that valuable data, knowledge, relationships, trained support staff and community experience can be lost at the end of temporary funding cycles. This can make it harder to build on previous successes, grow and strengthen impact. The Location Challenge Support and resources are not always evenly distributed. Funding opportunities, support organisations, innovation hubs and business services are sometimes concentrated in major cities, making it challenging for innovators in rural communities, border areas and smaller islands to access the support they need. Measuring What Matters Many organisations are doing meaningful work but do not have the time, resources or systems to consistently measure and track their long term impact. Data collection is often driven by donor reporting requirements rather than helping organisations learn what is working, improve their programmes or demonstrate lasting change.

“One-one blow does kill old cow.” Small, repeated actions eventually add up to cause a massive impact. The Social Innovation Insight: Across the Caribbean, small grassroots groups, youth led and women-led charities are constantly being hit by tiny, invisible costs. For example, while a donor grant might cover direct project materials, there are “hidden blows” like the lack of a salary for a female charity leader, the care burden or cost of her child-care or elder care responsibilities while participating in training programmes, the challenge of gaining help with meeting compliance requirements for a grassroots organisation, the lack of property or collateral that disqualifies a young person and many women from many loans and more. Over time, these “blows” add up. Social innovation can look like measures that help ensure that women, youth and grassroots organisations can be sustainably supported and can gain access to finance.

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Emerging Needs & Opportunities

Connecting the Ecosystem through Institutionalised Coordination

The research shows that the Caribbean has many of the ingredients needed for social innovation to thrive. Across the region, there are passionate people, strong organisations and promising initiatives already creating positive change. The opportunity now is to strengthen the ecosystem so that more ideas can grow, more organisations can thrive and more communities can benefit. Finding New Ways to Finance Innovation Many innovators have the ideas and determination to create change but struggle to access finance. New financing approaches (alternative financial and de risking instruments), such as blended finance, impact investment, first-loss guarantee funds and character based lending, could help reduce risk for lenders while opening doors for innovators and social enterprises to access the investment they need to grow. Such gender transformative innovation funds, aligned with the EU Gender Action Plan III (GAP III), could help more youth led, women-led and underrepresented innovators access the capital they need to grow. Moving from “Soft” to “Hard” Interventions & Building the Right Infrastructure The Caribbean has invested significantly in “soft interventions” like training, mentoring and business support. The next opportunity is investing in “hard interventions” like the spaces, equipment and technology that help innovators move from ideas to implementation. Shared makerspaces, laboratories, processing facilities and innovation hubs can help innovators develop, test and scale new products, services and solutions.

The Caribbean has many excellent organisations, universities, businesses and community initiatives, but they are not always well connected to each other. Addressing complex social challenges requires stronger coordination between organisations so that they can learn from one another, reduce duplication, share resources and build on successful ideas. Stronger national and regional coordination and knowledge sharing can help innovative approaches become part of mainstream development rather than stand-alone projects and can also help innovations spread more quickly across communities and countries instead of remaining isolated within individual projects or islands. Designing for Real Life There is an opportunity to design innovation ecosystem interventions that better reflect the realities of people’s lives. Programmes that recognise caregiving responsibilities, transportation challenges and different ways of learning can help remove barriers for women, young people and others who may otherwise be excluded from opportunities to innovate and lead. Designing programmes that include flexible schedules, online participation, childcare support or transport assistance can help more people, especially women, participate fully, move from frontline voluntary labour, and realise their potential.

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

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01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Standardising Measurement Language Many organisations are creating meaningful change but struggle to demonstrate it in consistent ways. Developing a shared approach to Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) can help organisations measure and communicate social, environmental and economic outcomes, improve their work, attract funding and build greater confidence among partners and investors.

region would make it easier to tell the Caribbean’s social innovation story and demonstrate the value of Caribbean social innovation. The Caribbean has the creativity, talent and commitment needed to drive social innovation. By investing in stronger connections, practical support, more inclusive systems and new ways of financing and measuring impact, the region has an opportunity to build a connected and resilient social innovation ecosystem.

A shared approach to measuring impact across the

Social innovation is not only about generating new ideas. It is also about creating the conditions that allow good ideas to grow and succeed.

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Who Makes Up the Social Innovation Ecosystem?

Social innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when different people and organisations bring their ideas, skills and resources together. Every actor has an important role to play, and the greatest impact happens when different people, organisations and sectors bring their ideas, knowledge, resources and experience together. To find yourself or find the right partners, the ecosystem is organised into nine main categories of actors, each playing a specific role in how ideas are created, funded, and brought to life in our communities and islands.

Government

Local knowledge, trust and lived experience Communities

NGOs

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean Policy, public services and enabling environments

Community delivery, advocacy and mobilisation

Universities

Sustainable solutions and mission-driven business models Social Enterprises

Business models, markets, technology, operations, investment and scale Private Sector

Research, evidence and talent development

Corporate Foundations

Capacity building, mentoring and connections Intermediaries & Innovation Support Organisations

International Partners

Global expertise, financing and regional collaboration

Catalytic funding and community partnerships

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Government

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Governments create policies, laws and public programmes that shape the environment in which social innovation happens. They can provide funding, build public infrastructure and create the legal frameworks that help social enterprises and other social innovators grow. Caribbean Examples • The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy (Barbados) • The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM, Dominican Republic) • The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth & Information (MOEY, Jamaica) • The Ministry of Digital Transformation (Trinidad and Tobago)

Supportive policies and regulations can make it easier for social innovators to start, grow and create lasting impact.

Charities and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Caribbean Examples • The Network of NGOs for the Advancement of Women (Trinidad and Tobago - national umbrella organisation improving the lives of women and families and working to fix gender imbalances) • Plan International (Dominican Republic - children’s rights and equality for girls) • The Erline Bradshaw Foundation (Barbados - education) Charities and NGOs work directly with communities, delivering programmes, advocating for change and responding to social and environmental needs. They are the operational core and primary delivery engine for local social safety nets and community support.

Many of the Caribbean’s social innovation initiatives begin with organisations that understand the needs of the communities they serve. Women carry many of the executive positions in this sector, meaning they carry the weight of frontline community care.

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Universities and Research Institutions

Universities and research organisations generate knowledge, conduct research, provide deep scientific validation, run baseline data tracking systems, and build specialized technical training courses.

Caribbean Examples • The University of the West Indies

• Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) • The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) • National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST)

These institutions act as essential research anchors to help move local projects from soft business training toward “hard” scientific testing and data management. They help turn promising ideas into evidence-based solutions that can be tested, improved and scaled.

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Social Enterprises

Social enterprises combine business with purpose, generating income while creating positive social or environmental impact.

With social innovation we can move from reaction to proactive resilience and adaptation.

Caribbean Examples • Rum & Sargassum Inc. (Green energy supplier company) • WHYFARM (Food security and nutrition nonprofit) • Agricultural and community cooperatives

They demonstrate that doing good and generating income can go hand in hand, creating organisations that are both impactful and financially sustainable.

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Private Sector

Companies and businesses play an important role in bringing ideas to market and to scale. They develop products and services, create jobs, invest in innovation, purchase goods and services from local innovators, open supply chains, provide technical expertise and introduce new technologies. Caribbean Examples • Flow Barbados (telecommunications and cable provider company) • Grupo Popular, S.A. (commercial banking services company) • The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) (public electricity distributor company) • Bajan Fusion (Fitness lifestyle service)

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

The private sector helps turn promising ideas into sustainable solutions by providing markets, partnerships, expertise and investment. It also has the ability to influence how business is done by adopting more inclusive and environmentally responsible practices.

Corporate Foundations

Some large companies set aside money, staff time and other resources to support causes that matter to the communities they serve. They often do this through corporate foundations or corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, which provide grants, partnerships and other forms of support for social and environmental initiatives. Caribbean Examples • Fundación Popular (inclusive community development) • Digicel Jamaica Foundation (community building nonprofit funded by the Digicel Group, a digital connectivity and telecommunications provider) • CIBC Caribbean ComTrust Foundation (charitable and governing body for CIBC Caribbean’s corporate social responsibility initiatives. CIBC Caribbean is a financial services company) • The ANSA McAL Foundation (the philanthropic arm of the ANSA McAL Group. ANSA McAL is a diversified public conglomerate)

Corporate foundations can help turn good ideas into bigger opportunities by providing early funding, connecting organisations that can work together and supporting projects that create lasting benefits for communities.

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A Caribbean Social Innovation Guide

Communities and Grassroots Organisations

Communities are often close to the problems. They can identify local challenges, test new ideas and develop solutions in answer to their lived experience.

Caribbean Examples • Weston Fisherfolk Association (Barbados - community-based organisation) • Community organisations • Youth groups • Neighbourhood initiatives

Communities understand local realities better than anyone else. Their trust, knowledge and participation are essential to creating solutions that work.

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Intermediaries and Innovation Support Organisations

These organisations help innovators develop ideas, build skills, access finance and prepare for growth through mentoring, incubation and acceleration programmes.

Caribbean Examples • Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA) (private, non-profit organisation, protecting and growing the local manufacturing sector) • Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago ( YBTT) (non-profit organisation supporting self employment and sustainable growth) • Jamaica Youth Business Trust (JYBT) (non-governmental organisation helping young entrepreneurs) • Asociación de Industrias de la República Dominicana, Inc. (AIRD) (representative business organisation for the industrial sector)

They connect ideas with the knowledge, networks and resources needed to move from concept to impact.

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A Caribbean Social Innovation Guide

Regional and International Partners and Donors

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Regional and international organisations provide opportunities for regional collaboration and development, funding, technical expertise and research.

Caribbean Examples • Caribbean Development Bank • Inter-American Development Bank • European Union • United Nations agencies • Multilateral development banks • Regional and international development and donor agencies

They bring investment, global knowledge, programmes and partnerships that can help strengthen and expand Caribbean social innovation.

Reflect

Which of these groups are already part of your network?

Who else could help strengthen your idea or organisation?

Where do you see yourself within the social innovation ecosystem?

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A Caribbean Social Innovation Guide

Country Profile Snapshots

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

Barbados

Barbados represents a unique “paradox of potential” within the Caribbean social innovation landscape. On one hand, the island boasts exceptional human capital, a highly educated population, robust digital infrastructure, and an increasingly progressive policy focus on the green energy transition and the blue economy. On the other hand, the ecosystem operates as structurally “over-trained but under-resourced.” Local change-makers do not lack ideas or talent; rather, they are constrained by gaps in support infrastructure and traditional financing models.

organisations to operate within existing business or non-profit structures. Grassroots innovators, particularly women and young people, must also navigate property-based collateral requirements and systemic funding instability (“overhead starvation”), where funding supports programme delivery but not the people and systems needed to sustain organisations. This results in “formal inclusion but practical exclusion,” meaning that people have the right to participate but often lack the support to do so effectively. Despite these challenges, Barbadians continue to develop innovative partnerships and community-led solutions that strengthen social, economic and climate resilience.

The absence of a dedicated legal framework for social enterprises forces purpose-driven

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A Caribbean Social Innovation Guide

Barbados Data Bites Country Profile Snapshots

48 %

26 %

01 . Understanding Social Innovation in the Caribbean

of mapped actors come from the private sector, demonstrating growing collaboration between businesses and community organisations to create shared social and economic value.

of mapped social innovation actors are from civil society, highlighting the vital role that NGOs, community organisations and grassroots groups play in driving social change across Barbados.

25.7 % National Poverty Rate Roughly a quarter of the population struggles to afford basic necessities

2 %

99 % National Literacy Rate A premier regional educational baseline representing the island’s highly capable, latent talent pool.

88.2 % of mapped organisations are dedicated incubators or accelerators, revealing a significant opportunity to strengthen support for early-stage social innovators. Program Implementation Rate The incredibly high percentage of mapped local organizations that are actively running real community projects.

21 %

28 %

Youth NEET Rate The percentage of young Barbadians who are currently Not in Employment, Education, or Training, highlighting the critical urgency for youth-focused enterprise pathways.

The Monitoring & Evaluation Gap The small minority of active groups that possess formal, established data tracking and impact evaluation systems.

60 %

5

Thematic Innovation Poles The ecosystem is structured around five strategic Innovation Poles: Economic Empowerment; Education & Capacity Development; Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability; Entrepreneurship & Social Economy; Digital Transformation.

Frontline Female Leadership The percentage of executive management and director-level roles held by women within mapped social purpose ventures and civil society groups.