Making Waves

Making Waves

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A Caribbean Social Innovation Guide

Social Innovation Poles Across the Caribbean

As part of the EU-LAC Social Accelerator, social innovation Poles (hubs) were identified across Barbados, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago. These Poles represent thematic areas where social innovators are already responding to some of the region’s most important opportunities and challenges. A social innovation Pole is not a single building or organisation. Think of it as a themed, dynamic collaboration space, sometimes physical, sometimes virtual, where governments, businesses, universities, community organisations and social innovators are developing solutions and creating lasting impact. Rather than working in isolation, these Poles bring together different skills, resources and perspectives to tackle complex challenges that no single organisation could solve alone. While each country’s Poles reflected their own priorities and context, this section of the Guide brings together broader regional roles based on the identified country Poles. These regional thematic Poles highlight where country priorities connect and complement one another, align with Global Gateway priorities, and may provide a useful starting point for other Caribbean countries seeking to identify and develop social innovation Poles that reflect their own ecosystem themes, collaboration and areas of opportunity. Why do social innovation Poles matter? The Caribbean is rich with ideas, committed groups and organisations and community leaders. Social

innovation Poles help identify where collaboration is already happening and where there is the greatest potential for impact. By connecting people, funding, research and partnerships around these areas of activity, it becomes easier for governments, investors and development partners to understand where support is most needed and where it can make the greatest difference. By identifying, recognising, strengthening and supporting existing thematic Poles within islands, people and organisations can better connect and partner, knowledge can be shared, and successful ideas can grow and spread across communities and countries.

02 . Caribbean Social Innovation Poles

A social innovation Pole is not a single building or organisation. Think of it as a themed, dynamic collaboration space, sometimes physical, sometimes virtual, where governments, businesses, universities, community organisations and social innovators are developing solutions and creating lasting impact.