A partnership for progress
[NASSAU, The Bahamas] – In a significant partnership, Bron Ltd. (BRON) and the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group), through its innovation and venture laboratory, IDB Lab unveil the CultivateU project, which aims to make strides toward sustainable development and enhancing food security in The Bahamas. This initiative comes in response to the compounded challenges of natural disasters and global supply shortages, which have notably impacted the nation’s agricultural sector.
CultivateU is set to empower small-scale farmers, including women and marginalized groups, by offering a suite of educational programs, a blueprint for corporate solar energy integration, and access to innovative technologies. The project emphasizes gender inclusivity and aims to arm participants with sustainable farming practices, water conservation methods, and market insights through workshops, webinars, and hands-on sessions.
Starting April 23, the project will extend its educational outreach with a series of free public modules covering key topics such as ecology, aquaculture, and green technology applications, all designed to strengthen ecological sustainability, climate resilience, and economic growth.
Erin Cash-Povey, Grant Project Manager at BRON, highlights the project’s ethos: “At BRON, we strive to make paradise possible. When people envision paradise, they usually imagine a life teeming with opportunity, prosperity, and well-being. CultivateU’s goal aligns perfectly with this vision, by helping Bahamians march toward that dream by unlocking their potential through education, innovation, and elevation. This resonates deeply with me, as someone who studied aquaculture in university, inspired by the need for sustainable fisheries,” Erin explains. “It’s a privilege to be part of a project that encompasses that aspiration and contributes to our nation’s focus on food security.”
For the company, this initiative highlights a commitment to environmental stewardship by integrating solar energy solutions to lower carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency. With energy audits and the implementation of green protocols, BRON is set to become a leader in sustainable corporate practices.
The project’s first phase involved engaging 21 student interns in STEM-related activities last year, fostering a foundation for future agricultural innovations. CultivateU will also leverage digital platforms and local partnerships to encourage a collaborative culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, aiming to enhance food production and distribution.
Over three years, CultivateU aspires to develop a replicable model for sustainability that could inspire similar practices across the region, supported by IDB Labs’s commitment to resilient economic development in the country.
“The CultivateU project represents a groundbreaking initiative that embodies the IDB Group’s commitment to sustainable development and economic resilience in The Bahamas. By empowering local farmers and embracing innovative technologies, we are taking concrete steps towards building a more sustainable, and food – future,” said IDB Group Country Representative Daniela Carrera Marquis. “We are proud to support this project that champions gender inclusivity and leverages local knowledge and new technologies to improve the lives of the Bahamian people.”
CultivateU represents more than a project; it’s a commitment to fostering innovation, growth, and community empowerment. With collective effort and dedication, it seeks to ensure a sustainable future for The Bahamas and its people.
For further details on CultivateU, please contact cultivateU@bebron.com.
