Deadline Date: January 31, 2026
The Caribbean Development Bank is requesting applications for its Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund to support innovation, enhance competitiveness, and help businesses and organizations expand their reach locally and internationally.
Established in 2017 with an initial capitalization of USD 2.6 million from the Caribbean Development Bank, CIIF is a multi-donor fund dedicated to enabling the region’s creative sector to compete globally.
Since its pilot cycle from 2018 to 2023, CIIF awarded 30 grants, directly serving over 500 stakeholders across 19 Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). The fund also provided dedicated technical assistance in Haiti from 2020 to 2023, supporting 90 beneficiaries with grant funding totaling USD 198,000. In June 2023, CIIF received approval and additional resources to continue operations through 2027.
CIIF supports the sector through technical assistance, industry training, research, business development activities, and grant funding for innovative projects. Funding is awarded through three grant streams: Enabling Environment, Data Intelligence, and Improving Competitiveness of Creative MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises). The fund prioritizes five key sub-sectors: Fashion and Contemporary Design, Visual Arts, Audio-Visual (Film, Animation, Gaming), Festivals and Carnivals, and Music. Competitive calls for proposals are used to select grantees in these areas.
For 2026, CIIF will provide funding for two main opportunities. The first is the Digital Solution for the Establishment or Enhancement of National Cultural Registries and Databases, with grants valued at USD 150,000, open to formally registered businesses or organizations. The second opportunity supports regional creative economy conferences and events, offering six grants across the three grant streams: Enabling Environment (2 grants of USD 20,000 each), Data Intelligence (2 grants of USD 25,000 each), and Improving Competitiveness of MSMEs (2 grants of USD 50,000 each).
Applicants must be citizens and residents of a CDB Borrowing Member Country, operate an MSME registered in a BMC, be at least 18 years old, and have a minimum of three years’ experience hosting cultural and creative industry events or conferences at the community, national, or regional level. These grant opportunities provide a significant avenue for Caribbean creative businesses and organizations to access funding, technical support, and resources to scale their impact and strengthen the region’s cultural economy.
For more information, visit Caribbean Development Bank.
