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Social Innovation Country Report:
Saint Kitts
In St. Kitts and Nevis, social innovation is broadly recognized but lacks an official definition.
Legal and Policy Frameworks

St. Kitts and Nevis has adopted the following legal frameworks, strategies, and vision documents related to social innovation:

  • Social Entrepreneurship
  • Social Innovation
  • Social Businesses
  • Social [and Solidarity] Economy
  • Welfare sector
  • Community based
  • led organizations
  • SDG
  • The Social Protection Act of 2018. It is a social protection flooring which aims to provide comprehensive social protection to alleviate poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion. It outlines the frame work for implementing social programmes services designed to support the wellbeing of citizens
Current stage of implementation:
Stage1: Community based/led organizations
Stage2: Social Entrepreneurship / Innovation / Businesses / [and Solidarity] Economy
Stage3: Welfare sector
Stage4: Welfare sector
Stage5: SDG

with

  • Stage1: “No Policy or Recognition: No formal recognition, discussion, or policy exists. The sector operates informally or without government involvement.”;
  • Stage2: “Initial Discussions & Awareness: The government acknowledges the sector and has started discussions or consultations, but no formal policy framework or regulation exists.”;
  • Stage3: “Draft Policy or Framework in Development: A draft policy, strategy, or regulatory framework is currently being developed. The government may be conducting research, stakeholder consultations, or legislative drafting.”;
  • Stage4: “Pilot Programs or Limited Implementation: Some initiatives, pilot projects, or partial government-backed programs exist, but full implementation has not yet been achieved. Policies may be tested in select regions or for specific groups.”;
  • Stage5: “Policy Adopted but Not Fully Implemented: A formal law, policy, or regulation has been passed, but it has not been fully implemented, enforced, or funded. Gaps in execution may still exist.”;
  • Stage6: “Policy in Effect & Actively Implemented: The policy is fully enacted and actively being implemented. There is clear government support, funding, and enforcement mechanisms in place.”;
  • Stage7: “Policy Reviewed & Strengthened: The existing policy has been evaluated and improved over time based on feedback, data, or evolving needs. New funding, incentives, or structural reforms may have been introduced.”; and
  • Stage8: “Leading in Policy Innovation: The country is recognized as a leader in this policy area, with best practices, strong regulatory frameworks, and incentives that actively promote and support the sector.”
Ecosystem Actors
Key Actors in the Ecosystem

The leading actors driving social innovation in St. Kitts and Nevis include government ministries, social enterprises, NGOs, philanthropic institutions, academia, and other ecosystem builders. The top three most influential actors are:

  • Government entity (ministries/agencies)
  • NGOs
  • Academic and research centers

Examples: www.sknis.gov.kn, www.gov.kn

Education and Capacity Building

Formal and informal education programs that support social innovation exist in the following forms in St. Kitts and Nevis:

  • Government-supported training programs:“ The government has launched or funded capacity-building programs, incubators, or skill-development initiatives to support social innovation.

Examples:

  • Clarance Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) and Advanced Vocational Education Centre (AVEC)
Coordinating Bodies

A centralized body responsible for coordinating social innovation efforts across sectors exists in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Ecosystem Communication
The level of communication and coordination among key actors in St. Kitts and Nevis’s social innovation ecosystem is currently Moderate:“ some collaboration, but existing gaps in coordination.
Support Mechanisms for Policy and Finance
Policy Incentives and Support Mechanisms

To support social innovation, St. Kitts and Nevis has implemented the following incentives and mechanisms:

  • Tax benefits for social enterprises and impact-driven businesses,B
  • Fiscal advantages for impact investors,I
  • Government-backed funding programs (e.g., grants, subsidies, social impact funds),L
  • Social security measures for social businesses,Q
  • Environmental taxes/levies
Financing Mechanisms

Social innovation in St. Kitts and Nevis is financed through a variety of mechanisms including:

  • Social impact funds & social bonds
  • Public subsidy and grants
  • Public investment funds (e.g., dedicated social impact fund)
Impact
Flagship Programs and Achievements

Notable achievements and flagship programs in social innovation in St. Kitts and Nevis include:

  • LIFT Program
  • ASPIRE Program
  • Youth Entrepreneurial Advancement Scheme
  • Sustainable Island State Agenda
International Collaborations

St. Kitts and Nevis is involved in international collaborations on social innovation through the following initiatives:

  • Women Employment Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion Project (WEEFIP) through partnership with the Taiwan Technical Mission (Republic of China (Taiwan)
Tech for Good Innovations
Impact Measurement Frameworks

St. Kitts and Nevis does not have a formal framework or methodology for measuring social innovation impact.

Economic Contribution of Social Innovation
Reports on Social Impact

There are no Reports and studies that assess the social impact of innovation in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Policy Momentum

Momentum for social innovation as a public policy issue in St. Kitts and Nevis is currently rated as:

Some Momentum: There is growing awareness and initial efforts in public policy, but implementation remains limited or fragmented.

Barriers to Growth

The following barriers are currently hindering the growth of social innovation in St. Kitts and Nevis:

  • Lack of awareness and understanding of social innovation
  • Limited access to skilled professionals in the sector
Collaborative Ideas
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