With the support of the European Union (EU) under the EU-LAC Social Accelerator programme—part of the Global Gateway strategy—Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) is launching a new consultancy to strengthen the social innovation ecosystem in Barbados.
The EU-LAC Social Accelerator is a flagship initiative designed to foster inclusive, resilient, and innovative ecosystems across Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing to a just, socially responsible, and inclusive green and digital transition. It aims to reduce inequalities, enhance social cohesion, and promote investment in high-impact social sectors.
This consultancy forms part of Output 1.1 of the programme, focusing on mapping and characterising social innovation poles in Barbados. It will deliver a detailed mapping of existing initiatives, actors, and opportunities—applying a validated methodology—to inform the design of a national strategy and roadmap for social innovation. The work will follow a gender-transformative approach, in line with the European Union Gender Action Plan III (GAP III), incorporating intersectionality and human rights principles throughout.
Contracting Authority
Caribbean Export Development Agency
Beneficiary Country
Barbados
Summary of Objectives and Scope of Work
Overall Objective:
To strengthen the national social innovation ecosystem in Barbados by providing a robust evidence base for strategic planning and investment, contributing to an inclusive and sustainable green and digital transition.
Specific Objectives:
- Identify and map active or emerging social innovation poles and key actors in Barbados, incorporating gender, intersectionality, and social justice approaches.
- Develop a structured, geo-referenced database of actors and initiatives, disaggregated by sector, role, and target groups.
- Produce a participatory diagnostic of the ecosystem, including SWOT analysis, policy review, and network mapping.
- Identify barriers, opportunities, and collaboration mechanisms to strengthen the ecosystem.
- Provide technical inputs for a national roadmap and baseline for impact measurement.
Scope of Work:
- Review relevant national and international documentation on social innovation and inclusion.
- Design and validate data collection tools (surveys, interview guides).
- Conduct surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather data from diverse stakeholders.
- Map and characterise social innovation poles and analyse actor relationships.
- Produce an ecosystem diagnostic, including gender and inclusion perspectives.
- Deliver a proposed roadmap for strengthening social innovation in Barbados.
Duration
The consultancy will be conducted over a period of four (4) months, commencing on or about September 1, 2025, and concluding in December 2025.
Submission Guidelines
Interested consultants are invited to submit:
- Technical Proposal outlining their approach, methodology, and relevant experience.
- Financial Proposal in USD.
- Resume/CV and relevant references.
- Legal documentation (e.g., business registration).
Submit proposals by email to maybar@carib-export.com
Deadline for submission: 29 August 2025 at 11:59 PM AST
Click below to download the full Terms of Reference for this consultancy.
