Making Waves

Making Waves

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A Caribbean Social Innovation Guide

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