Apply for Caribbean Development Bank – Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) 2026

Application Deadlines:  June 7, 2026

About the Fund

The Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) was established in 2017, with an initial USD 2.6 million in capitalisation from the Caribbean Development Bank. A multi-donor fund, CIIF supports the development of the creative industries (CI) sector in the Caribbean. Global competitiveness for the region’s cultural and creative industries is the goal of CIIF. Between 2018 and 2023, a pilot cycle of operations and grant funding was completed by CIIF. Through 30 awarded grants, over 500 stakeholders across the Bank’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) were directly served. From 2020 to 2023, dedicated grant funding valued at USD 198,000 was also used by CIIF to launch and pilot technical assistance to the CIs in Haiti, directly serving 90 beneficiaries. Additional resources for a further period of operations to 2027 were granted to CIIF in June 2023.

What the Fund Does

Support to the Caribbean region’s CI sector is provided by CIIF through technical assistance. Industry training, research and business development activities are facilitated alongside the provision of grant funding for innovative projects within the cultural and creative industries, aligned to three grant streams:

• Enabling Environment
• Data Intelligence
• Improved Competitiveness of Creative MSMEs

Priority Sub-Sectors:

1. Fashion & Contemporary Design
2. Visual Arts
3. Audio-visual (Film, Animation, Gaming)
4. Festivals and Carnivals
5. Music

A significant measure of innovation, collaboration and sustainability are expected to be demonstrated by projects and partnerships, taking lead from CIIF’s guiding pillars.

Total Funding Available: USD 1,694,000

Who CIIF Serves

Governments, Business Support Organisations, Universities, Non-Governmental Organisations, and Creative Enterprises in CDB’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries are served by CIIF. Operation in at least one of CDB’s 19 BMCs under one or more of the CI priority subsectors is required for entities/practitioners deemed eligible for CIIF support. Legal registration is required for entities, which can include governments, universities and academia, NGOs and community-based organisations, chambers of commerce, BSOs, including government agencies, ministries, and statutory bodies providing technical support to MSMEs in the CIs sector.

Evidence of collaboration is encouraged and required, and preference is given to project implementation activities that incorporate two or more CDB Borrowing Member Countries.

Contribution Requirement: A minimum of ten percent (10%) of project costs in cash and/or in-kind is expected from beneficiary MSMEs and other eligible entities.

Grant Funding Components

Component I – Enabling Environment

• Up to USD 90,000 each awarded to up to 6 projects through competitive selection

Component II – Data Intelligence

• Up to USD 100,000 each awarded to up to 3 projects

Component III – Enterprise/MSME Development

• Up to USD 50,000 each awarded to up to 12 projects

2024 Total Funding: Over USD 700,000

Open Call: Caribbean Women in Music – Market Access Programme for WOMEX 2026

Through a collaboration between the Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) and SheTrades Caribbean, a new opportunity for Caribbean Women in Music has been launched. A group of women-led music businesses will be supported by this project to attend the World Music Expo (WOMEX) from October 21 to 25, 2026 in Gran Canaria, Spain, with total funding of USD 75,000.

What the Opportunity Covers:

• Airfare
• Accommodation
• All-access passes to WOMEX
• Business features in a digital catalogue
• Onsite networking
• Post-WOMEX business lead reviews
• 3 months of market entry preparation support

Click here to apply

Eligibility
Open to women business managers, publishers, songwriters, music technology developers, or producers operating under a formally registered business across CDB’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries. Membership in the SheTrades Caribbean Hub is required for applicants.

Important Note: Recording or performing artistes are not eligible for this opportunity.

Upcoming Grant Opportunities (2026)

Digital Solution for Establishment/Enhancement of National Cultural Registries and Databases

• Open to formally registered businesses/organisations
• Grant value: USD 150,000

Sustainable Festival Production Training and Grant Programme

• Details to be announced

Other Opportunities

Proposal Writing E-Learning Course:
Re-opening soon for participation in CIIF’s “Proposal Writing for the Cultural and Creative Industries” e-learning course.

Technical Assistance – Expressions of Interest:

• Participation in Pilot of Digital Solution for Establishment and Enhancement of Cultural Registries and Databases (open to Government Bodies and Agencies)
• Regional CI Business Support Organisations – Technical Assistance Implementation Training and Partnership (open to formally registered companies/organisations)
• Participation in Pilot of Regional Group Insurance for Creatives (open to Government Bodies and Agencies)

Selection Process

Assessment of project applications and recommendations for funding are made by an external evaluation panel of sector experts. Depending on factors including volume and quality of applications received and availability of external evaluators, the application to award process may range from 2 to 4 months. From 3 months to 1 year or any such period agreed to in the contract between CDB-CIIF and the grantee, implementation timelines for awarded projects may vary.

Disbursement: In tranches, grant funds are aligned to project deliverables and disbursed. A minimum of two weeks may be required for processing time for funds to be posted to the grantee’s approved bank once all payment conditions are met and a disbursement request is made through CIIF to CDB.

How to Apply

• Quarterly over a period of 36 months, grant funding opportunities are opened. The project theme, requirements, link to official application form, and submission date will be outlined in an advertised call for applications.
• Through the CIIF designated Business Support Organisation (BSO) partner in their respective countries, applicants applying under Component III (Enterprise/MSME Development) will also have the opportunity to apply.
• To assist applicants with completing their applications, CIIF will be engaging Business Support Organisation (BSO) partners across the region. After the opening of the grant call, application consultation sessions will also be hosted by CIIF to engage grantees and provide further details on a given grant opportunity.

Join the CIIF Database: To learn more about upcoming initiatives that may be of interest and to access any additional resources that may become available through CIIF or partners.

Register for CIIF Consultants’ Directory: Application to the CIIF Consultants’ Directory is invited from experienced practitioners with at least 5 years’ experience in consulting. For CIIF consultancies relevant to their qualifications and experience, subscribers are considered.

Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs)

CDB’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Why This Fund Matters

Significant potential to contribute to economic growth, employment, and regional identity exists in the Caribbean’s cultural and creative industries. Barriers including limited access to financing, lack of business development support, and fragmented markets are faced by creative entrepreneurs.

These barriers are addressed by CIIF through several approaches:

• Grant funding tailored to the needs of creative MSMEs is provided
• Technical assistance to build business capacity is offered
• Regional collaboration across multiple BMCs is facilitated
• Innovation and sustainability in project design are prioritized
• Market access opportunities such as the WOMEX programme for women in music are created

For creative professionals and enterprises in the Caribbean, a unique source of support for scaling their work, accessing new markets, and contributing to the region’s creative economy is represented by CIIF.

For More Information: Visit the Official CIIF Webpage