The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has awarded a USD 100,000 grant to NativeFoto Ltd., a Trinidad & Tobago-based creative enterprise, to develop and scale a digital stock photography platform focused on authentic Caribbean visual content. The funding comes through the Bank’s Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF).
The project, titled “Unlocking Caribbean Pride Through Stock Media,” aims to create a centralized hub for Caribbean imagery and video. It will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including AI-powered tools and mobile-adapted user experiences, with the goal of empowering local creators, preserving cultural heritage, and strengthening the region’s creative economy by reducing reliance on foreign stock imagery.
Lisa Harding, Division Chief, Private Sector Division at CDB, emphasized the Bank’s commitment to innovation and the creative economy:
“CDB is proud to champion solutions that bridge creativity and technology. This grant reflects our dedication to fostering innovative business models that unlock the potential of the orange economy, create sustainable livelihoods, and amplify Caribbean cultural identity on the global stage.”
The winning proposal was selected from 53 applications submitted across eleven of CDB’s Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). According to CIIF Coordinator Malene Joseph,
“The Bank noted submissions came from strong teams with wide-ranging expertise across creative, technical, financial, and legal domains. They were particularly reflective of well-developed SDG action goals, gender and youth representation targets in our BMCs.”
The grant will allow NativeFoto Ltd. to expand its prototype into a fully functional regional platform, onboard more than 100 photographers in its first year, and introduce features such as authenticity verification and sponsored collections celebrating Caribbean life.
Derek Drayton, Managing Director of NativeFoto Ltd., spoke about the transformative potential of the award:
“This grant will catapult NativeMirror from a promising prototype into the Caribbean’s go-to hub for authentic visual storytelling. It’s more than funding—it’s a leap forward for how our region sees itself and how the world sees us. We’re deeply grateful to CDB for believing in our vision and helping us preserve heritage while creating new creative livelihoods.”
The project will be implemented over 12 months in collaboration with the Photographic Societies of Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados, ensuring quality standards, training, and inclusive participation. The initiative supports diverse content with clear benefits for both the platform and participating creators.
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