Making Waves

Making Waves

26

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.