Creative Caribbean - An Ecosystem of “Play” for Growth and Development

About Creative Caribbean

Creative Caribbean: An Ecosystem of “P.L.A.Y.” for Growth and Development aims to foster economic, human and social development of the Caribbean region by stimulating inclusive, diversified and sustainable growth of the cultural economy through (1) creation of jobs for women, men and youth within a decent work framework; (2) creation, production and distribution of cultural and creative goods and services; (3) improved market access; and (4) support of regional and national policies and measures.

Additionally, the project seeks to establish and reinforce dynamic interrelationships in Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) to increase the creation and production of quality globally competitive goods and services, as well as the creation of new jobs; and expand skills which enable participants to self-generate the cash flow to fuel their growth; increase access to financing through innovative mechanisms that allow co-financing and reduce the Caribbean’s cultural operators’ dependency on international financing.

‘Creative Caribbean’ is a joint project by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the University of the West Indies (UWI), supported by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) programme “Towards a Viable Cultural Industry: Supporting the Cultural and Creative Sectors in the ACP countries” with the financial contribution of the European Union and the support of the Organisation of ACP States.

2023 – 2024 Schedule of Grant Calls

Calls for Proposals Opens	April 6, 2023
Request for Clarification Opens	April 6, 2023
Request for Clarification Request Closes	May 5, 2023
Deadline for Submission of All Applications	May 28, 2023. 11:59 p.m. [EST]

Objectives

Specific objectives of the Joint Project ‘Creative Caribbean’ are:

(1) Strengthened and rationalised ecosystem development framework (including entrepreneurial capacity & strategic business planning) for the cultural and creative sectors in the region;

(2) Increased creation and production of quality globally competitive goods and services at competitive prices for access to local, regional and international markets as well as the creation of new jobs;

(3) Expanded skills which enable participants to self-generate the cash flow to fuel their growth as well as increased access to financing through innovative mechanisms that allow co-financing and reduce the Caribbean’s cultural operators’ dependency on international financing.

Eligible Countries

This project will be implemented in 15 Caribbean Countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.