CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS
SAINT LUCIA FASHION ACCELERATOR
For Emerging & Established Designers
Deadline: September 2, 2021
WHO WE ARE
The Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF) was launched in December 2018 with an initial US$2.6 million in capitalisation from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). It Is intended to be a multi-donor fund, which will support the development of the creative industries sector in the Caribbean. CIIF’s goal is to enable the region’s cultural and creative industries to be globally competitive.
WHAT WE DO
CDB’s CIIF provides grant funding for innovative projects within the creative industries sector. These projects should be focused on:
• Supporting the enabling environment for the development of creative industries;
• Improving the quality and dissemination of research in the creative industries sector;
• Enhancing or creating data intelligence or data collection methods in ways that can move the sector forward; and
• Enhancing the technical capacity of creative entrepreneurs.
Projects must demonstrate a significant measure of innovation, collaboration and sustainability.
ABOUT THIS ACCELERATOR
CIIF is working with CDB’s Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) to execute the Fashion Accelerator for Saint Lucian fashion and contemporary design practitioners. BNTF, now in its tenth cycle, is a programme under the Social Sector Division at CDB aimed at reducing the incidence of poverty in low-income, vulnerable communities by improving access to quality education and training, water and sanitation, basic community access and drainage, livelihood enhancement and human resource development services.
CDB, through CIIF and BNTF, will enable emerging fashion practitioners to be equipped with technical and basic business skills through the development of the Fashion and Contemporary Design Accelerator Programme. This programme will provide participants with increased access to resources.
CDB’s CIIF and BNTF are seeking applications to the Accelerator programme from Saint Lucian entrepreneurs practicing in the fashion industry. CDB’s CIIF/BNTF Fashion Accelerator includes three modules: a six-week intensive training programme; a three-month mentorship programme; and two months of enterprise life skills and business coaching. The Fashion and Contemporary Design Programme is open to persons involved in Fashion design from Saint Lucia, including persons trained under BNTF 7 and 8. Participants will become eligible to apply for a CDB’s CIIF/BNTF micro, small and medium-sized enterprises grant to develop their business at the close of the Accelerator.
• Module 1 – Fashion & contemporary design training (six weeks) will be lead and delivered by a fashion & contemporary design consultant in collaboration with members of the Saint Lucia Fashion Council. The programme will include the following topics focused on design of women’s wear:
• Product packaging and pricing;
• Garment construction;
• Pattern drafting;
• Colour and design elements; and • Textile design.
• Module 2 – Mentorship (three months) will be delivered by qualified and experienced fashion and contemporary design practitioners for participants and to support access to grants for top performing participants.
• Module 3 – Enterprise life skills training and business support coaching (two months) will be delivered by the Centre for Adolescent Renewal and Education. Specific focus will be on competencies, such as creativity, innovative thinking, problem solving, communication and teamwork. A business development coach will guide participants in initiating and running a business and managing financial resources. Coaching will especially support participants who wish to access grants through the programme.
HOW MUCH FUNDING WILL CDB’s CIIF/BNTF PROVIDE?
CDB’s CIIF/BNTF and facilitators will select 25 participants from Saint Lucia for this programme. BNTF will cover costs for facilitation of modules 1, 2 and 3, select materials and equipment for participants, a stipend to participants and select participant child-care costs where necessary. Upon successful completion, at least 10 participants will be eligible for prize grants of US$4,000 each via a pitch competition.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
CDB’s CIIF/BNTF is seeking applications for participation from Saint Lucian fashion & contemporary design practitioners including seamstresses, tailors and fashion designers at the *emerging and *established levels between the ages of 18 and 35.
*Emerging practitioners: Saint Lucian practitioners trained as seamstresses, tailors and fashion designers through BNTF cycles 7 and 8, and who meet basic eligibility criteria established by the Accelerator facilitator.
*Established: Saint Lucian practitioners trained as seamstresses, tailors and fashion designers, operating for more than five years. Have worked locally and may have worked regionally and internationally, but without a sound production operation. A business model may exist and may be understood, but not fully tested and proven. Established level practitioners will be competitively selected.
WHERE WILL THE PROGRAMME TAKE PLACE?
The accelerator programme will take place in Saint Lucia through:
• Synchronous sessions via Zoom
• Asynchronous sessions via Canvas learning platform
• Face-to-face sessions
APPLY
To participate in this programme designers are asked to complete the online application form by 11:59 pm AST on September 2, 2021. The first module of online and face-to-face training commences September 8, 2021