UNDP Barbados & the OECS Blue Lab issued a first Call for Solutions to challenges in the blue economy this week. Until December 9th, 2019, innovators in the blue space will be able to apply for the chance to be selected as a recipient of up to $15,000 USD for creative projects that take up to 6 months maximum to complete.
The Blue Lab is a part of UNDP’s global Accelerator Labs network, the world’s largest and fastest learning network to address development challenges in today’s era wherein complex changes are happening at new, rapid speeds. As such, the Call for Solutions reflects the expedited nature of the Accelerator Labs initiative.
The goal of the Call for Solutions is to find innovators who are promoting the values of the blue economy through revolutionary ideas and solutions to some of the development challenges that our society faces.
More specifically, the Call for Solutions is seeking initiatives directly related to the blue economy in areas such as Fisheries, Renewable Energy, Waste Management, Sustainable Tourism and Innovative Finance. In this context, the blue economy represents the sustainable management of ocean resources. These concepts must be scalable, results driven, experimental, innovative, have a positive impact on communities and livelihoods and offer ongoing solutions.
In terms of eligibility, applicants can include NGOs, CSOs, entrepreneurs, start-ups, individuals and government. All applicants must be based in Barbados and the OECS (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The British Virgin Islands, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St Christopher (Kitts) and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines).
Successful applicants will be required to sign a UNDP individual or company contract.