WILLEMSTAD – After more than four years of building a strong foundation based on vision, trust, partnerships and organizational development, Club17 Curaçao is entering a new phase. With 37 partner organizations now on board, the foundation is preparing to launch several community projects, a digital partner platform and international knowledge-sharing initiatives during the second half of 2026.
Club17 Curaçao was established to bring together businesses, non-profit organizations, educational institutions and government agencies working toward sustainable development. By connecting these stakeholders, the foundation aims to make collaboration easier, encourage joint initiatives and accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future for Curaçao.
In recent months, Stichting Monumentenfonds Curaçao, Grant Thornton and Positive Solutions joined the growing network, expanding the coalition of organizations committed to building a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient island.
"After more than four years of laying the groundwork, we are now truly entering the implementation phase," said Lara Melkert, Coordinator of Club17 Curaçao. "The foundation is in place, the network continues to grow, and our first collaborative projects are becoming reality. This is the moment to demonstrate the tangible impact that partnerships can have on Curaçao."
Barika Yen, Kurason Kontentu
One of the first major initiatives scheduled to launch as a pilot after the summer is Barika Yen, Kurason Kontentu ("Full Belly, Happy Heart").
Through this donation program, residents and visitors will be able to donate a meal while paying for their orders at participating restaurants and food establishments. The proceeds will go directly to three local organizations that provide daily hot meals to people in need.
According to Club17 Curaçao, the project demonstrates how businesses, community organizations and consumers can work together to create meaningful social impact. The foundation will coordinate the participating partners and monitor the project's results.
The Life Project
Another pilot program set to begin after the summer is The Life Project, an initiative developed by four Club17 partner organizations that combines health, sustainability, education and public awareness.
As part of the program, three primary schools will receive high-quality stainless steel water bottles for students, along with water coolers. In addition, three public drinking water stations will be installed across the island.
The project also includes the creation of an Experience Center where visitors will learn about the relationship between health, lifestyle and sustainability. The center will become part of the educational curriculum for participating schools.
Digital Partner Platform
Club17 Curaçao is also preparing to introduce a new digital partner platform that will serve as the organization's central collaboration hub.
The interactive platform will allow partner organizations to manage their profiles, showcase projects, exchange knowledge, post requests for assistance and identify new collaboration opportunities.
According to the foundation, the platform will provide a permanent infrastructure that makes cooperation among organizations easier, more visible and more effective.
Bringing International Expertise to Curaçao
This year, Club17 Curaçao will also introduce internationally recognized sustainability tools to the island.
One of them is Climate Fresk, an interactive workshop based on the latest climate science published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The workshop is already used in more than 170 countries and enables participants to work with climate data while gaining a better understanding of the relationships between climate challenges and practical solutions.
The workshops are designed not only to increase knowledge but also to promote collaboration and identify solutions that can be applied locally.
Building the Future Together
With 37 partner organizations now participating, Club17 Curaçao says an increasing number of institutions are recognizing collaboration as a key driver of social change.
Over the coming months, the foundation will focus on launching new projects, strengthening partnerships and expanding its network while supporting organizations in achieving their own sustainability goals.
"The coming months will demonstrate what organizations can accomplish when they combine their knowledge, experience and networks," Melkert said. "Together we can accelerate sustainable development in Curaçao while helping our partners achieve their own ambitions. We invite more organizations to join this movement, because the more partners participate, the greater the positive impact we can create together."