The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has recently re-launched its Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) to better support the region’s creative sector. This initiative, unveiled on April 10, 2024, at the bank’s headquarters in Barbados, comes with a renewed investment of $1.8 million, building on the original $2.6 million established in 2017. The restructured fund aims to cater to a diverse range of creative fields including film, animation, music, and visual arts, among others.
During the launch, Therese Turner Jones, the CDB’s Acting Vice President of Operations, emphasized the importance of strengthening the enabling environment for creatives. The new funding model is designed to facilitate access to resources, enhance capacity building, and protect intellectual property rights. The initiative reflects a commitment to fostering cultural preservation and promoting social inclusion through the arts.
Additionally, the CIIF aims to implement a more streamlined application process, including online submissions and improved project support, addressing feedback from an independent evaluation conducted in late 2022. This second phase of the program is poised to deepen collaboration with creatives across the Caribbean, acknowledging their vital role in the region’s socio-economic development.
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