Consultancy: Mapping of Social Innovation Poles-Dominican Republic

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 the Dominican Republic.

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 seeks to reduce inequalities, enhance social cohesion, and promote investment in high-impact social sectors.

This consultancy is part of Output 1.1 of the programme and will focus on mapping and characterising social innovation poles in the Dominican Republic. 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 process will follow a gender-transformative approach, in line with the European Union Gender Action Plan III (GAP III), integrating intersectionality and human rights principles at every stage.

Contracting Authority
Caribbean Export Development Agency

Beneficiary Country
Dominican Republic

Summary of Objectives and Scope of Work

Overall Objective:
To strengthen the national social innovation ecosystem in the Dominican Republic 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 the country, 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:

  • Conduct document review and analysis of the national and international context on social innovation and inclusion.
  • Design and validate tools for data collection (surveys, interview guides).
  • Carry out surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather data from key stakeholders.
  • Map and characterise social innovation poles, including relationships and levels of collaboration.
  • Produce an ecosystem diagnostic with gender and inclusion perspectives.
  • Deliver a proposed roadmap for strengthening social innovation in the Dominican Republic.

Duration
The consultancy will run over a period of four (4) months, starting on or about September 1, 2025, and concluding in December 2025.

Submission Guidelines
Interested consultants are invited to submit:

  • Technical Proposal outlining 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.