UNESCO Transcultura calls for young Caribbean entrepreneurs in the field of handicrafts

24-07-23

• Call for an entrepreneurship incubator: Export development and market opportunities in the handicraft sector.  

This call for applications is launched in the framework of Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, a four-year Programme implemented by the UNESCO Regional Office for Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the support of the European Union.

The overall purpose of the Programme is to deepen cultural integration in the Caribbean and to strengthen cooperation and exchange among the peoples of the region and with the European Union.  In particular, the Entrepreneurship and Incubators component aims to strengthen capacities for the development of new cultural projects, self-employment and start-up/expansion activities. The development of innovative and entrepreneurial projects supported by the Programme will improve the beneficiaries' access to new knowledge, markets, management models and funding sources.

In this context, the venture incubator: Export Development and Market Opportunities in the Handicraft Sector is an online incubator initiative that provides an innovative framework for export development and increased market opportunities. Through this initiative, creative and scalable project ideas within the crafts sub-sector in the Cultural and Creative Industries and in their early stages of generation, will be able to strengthen their competencies for export promotion, new market entry opportunities and regional networking.

During this six-week programme, from August 2023 to early September 2023, participants will engage in a variety of enriching activities designed to enhance the entrepreneurial competencies of the Artisans:

1. online training course on entrepreneurship:

Over a period of six weeks, participants will enrol in a comprehensive online course that will address essential topics such as:

Product and service ideation,  

Pricing and marketing strategies,

Preparing for export and entry into new territories,

E-commerce,

Regional networking and market integration, as well as Sales and fundraising techniques.

The course will be delivered online between August and early September 2023, with a total duration of eighteen (18) hours. The activities will be held every Thursday, three (3) hours each day.

2. Personalised online mentoring with professional experts from the business world:

Participants will have the invaluable opportunity to receive personalised guidance from experienced business professionals. Each participant will be assigned a dedicated mentor, who will provide expert advice and support focused on their specific needs over a two-week period.

3. Online Trade Show Event:

A highlight of the programme will be a dynamic one-day online business expo. During this event, participants will have a platform to showcase their new product and service ideas to a target audience. They will make presentations that highlight the value and uniqueness of their offerings, while exploring new business opportunities that may arise from the event. By participating in these activities, participants will gain valuable knowledge, receive personalised guidance and have the opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial initiatives to a wider audience, ultimately enabling them to excel in their business ventures.

The incubator initiative is led by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA). The Agency promotes trade and investment in the Caribbean region and supports the private sector. It focuses on increasing exports, attracting investment and creating jobs to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Established in 1996, Caribbean Exports helps businesses expand nationally, regionally and internationally by improving their capacity and competitiveness. The Agency prioritises areas such as e-commerce, digitalisation, green energy and the transition to a green and blue economy. It also supports non-tourism service providers and creative industries to promote entrepreneurship and seize opportunities.

Who can apply

To be considered for the UNESCO Transculture Entrepreneurship Incubator, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Age: Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years of age.

Geographic scope: Applicants must be citizens and permanent residents of any of the following 17 Caribbean countries within the geographical scope of the Transcultura Programme: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname or Trinidad and Tobago.

3. Professional requirements: young entrepreneurs with an initiative/business project in its initial phase within the field of crafts in the cultural and creative sector.

Thirty-four (34) participants will be selected from this call. Incubation activities will be divided into language groups: English, Spanish and French.

Application process

Applicants must submit their application through this online application form to provide personal data, and information about their company and/or artisanal business initiative/project.

At the time of application, applicants will also be asked to submit the following supporting documents:

Portfolio with evidence of work related to the craft field within the culture and creative industries sector.

Digital copy of your ID card or passport.

The deadline for applications is 31 July 2023, 18:00 Paris time (UTC +2h).

Selection process

• Once all applications have been received, they will be subjected to a rigorous selection process.

• A Selection Committee, composed of experienced professionals from the Caribbean Export Development Agency and members of the UNESCO Transcultura team, will select a maximum of thirty-four (34) young Caribbean entrepreneurs, based on their track record and business initiative/project.

The selected candidates will be notified no later than 18 August 2023.

Please note that:

• Only fully completed applications will be considered and assessed for suitability.

• Once all applications have been received, the Committee may request additional information. Applicants are invited to regularly check their inboxes, including SPAM inboxes.

• The UNESCO Transculture Programme reserves the right to use applicants' information for the sole purpose of implementing the initiative, while preserving confidentiality.

All young Caribbean entrepreneurs with a passion for the craft sector are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity for personal and professional development!