WILLEMSTAD - With the new name, Club17, the preferred partners of the Water Refill Program Curaçao (an initiative by the D-TAP Foundation) continue their journey towards sustainability.
Curaçao Partnership to Achieve Goals, that is the essence of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 of the United Nations (UN). This has been the inspiration for Club17 to choose this name for their next step. The strength of Club17 lies in collaboration, which amplifies the individual impact.
The members of Club17 have unanimously formulated the following vision: "By 2035, Curaçao will be the safest, most resilient, and sustainable island in the Caribbean region, where everyone is welcome and feels at home."
First Project: Locating Sustainable Initiatives
Club17 brings together the strength, knowledge, and expertise of all its partners. The first project involves creating an overview of all the sustainable (existing) initiatives in Curaçao. Of course, this will be achieved through a sustainable solution: a mobile application. This platform will be built (free of charge) by Caribbeapps (a strategic partner of Club17). "With the launch of this new app, Club17 takes an important step in locating the SDGs."
"As an organization, we are the first to identify the areas where opportunities exist to implement projects and actions that contribute to our vision. With the outcomes, we proceed in a targeted manner, taking concrete steps towards a sustainable future," says Lara Melkert, coordinator of Club17.
Club17 collaborates with the national SDG committee.
Club17 shares all its steps and actions with the government's national SDG committee. This way, everyone has insight and an overview of all the sustainable initiatives focusing on social development, climate protection, and sustainable economic growth. Kris Bouwstra, strategic partner and CCO of Dynaf, emphasizes, "Currently, there is a lack of visibility of existing initiatives in Curaçao. Club17 aims to change that."
Sharing inspiration and knowledge.
Club17 aims to inspire others to join their vision by working together and sharing knowledge. Lara Melkert, coordinator of Club17, emphasizes, "It is important to collaborate with all stakeholders within a community and the government to work towards a sustainable future for Curaçao. We need each other." The app will be launched during Club17's summer meeting in August. Following the launch, an integrated action plan ('Roadmap to 2035') will be implemented to support the vision. The first step is to gain insight into where the opportunities lie to make a sustainable contribution to the future of Curaçao."
Club17 members:
Avila Beach Hotel, Morena Eco Resort, Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort, Dolphin Suites, Carmabi education, Green Phenix, TUI, DYNAF Group, Maduro & Curiel's Bank, KLM, Aqualectra, D-Bottle, Caribbeapps, and Limpi Recycling.
Strategic partners of Club17: D-TAP Foundation, DYNAF Group, Caribbeapps.
From left to right in the photo: Wijnand Bunk (Avila), Dirk Buitelaar (KLM), Eva Meijer-Van Heck (Morena), Cor Hameete (Carmabi Education), Robert de Wolf (TUI), Yvette Bakker-Kloos (D-Bottle), Andy Kirchner (Kolektivo), Kris Bouwstra (Dynaf), Caroline Sluis-Gibbs (MCB bank), Lara Melkert (D-TAP Foundation), Maggy Wilson (Caribbeapps), Alette Borger (Dolphin Suites Hotel), Mitchell Lammering (Limpi Recycling), Leidy Girigori (Aqualectra), Anneloes van de Ende (National SDG Committee), Debrah Nijdam (Limpi Recycling), Tijmen de Vries (Green Phenix).