PRESS RELEASE
The National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) has long been a devoted
champion of the growth of Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) in Dominica. This year,
NDFD is excited to host the 3rd edition of the Green Innovations Summit, reinforcing its
commitment to sustainability and innovative solutions for positive change within the
community. As Dominica strives to be the first climate-resilient country, NDFD continues
to encourage small business owners and the public to adopt and maintain sustainable
practices.
Through this summit and ongoing initiatives, NDFD not only supports economic development but also fosters environmental stewardship, guiding Dominica toward a more sustainable future. In alignment with its steadfast dedication to sustainability, the NDFD has broadened its Green Program.
This initiative is crafted to aid small businesses and individuals in incorporating eco-friendly practices into their everyday operations and personal lives. By doing so, it emphasizes the pressing necessity to tackle major environmental issues, especially the urgent challenge of climate change. As part of its commitment to remain carbon-neutral, the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) proudly supports Earth Hour. This global initiative, which began as a modest lights-out event in Sydney, Australia in 2007, has evolved into a widespread movement now embraced by over 185 countries and territories.
Earth Hour seeks to motivate millions of individuals worldwide to engage in impactful actions that safeguard our planet. This year, Earth Hour will take place on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The theme, ‘Create the Biggest Hour for Earth,’ calls for unprecedented global collaboration and awareness. As Dominica marks five years of participating in this critical event, NDFD invites all Dominicans to join this global effort.
Participants are encouraged to actively engage in Earth Hour 2025 by turning off non-
essential lights, organizing community events, or creating innovative methods to reduce
energy consumption.
Documenting these efforts is crucial, as it enables us to assess our collective impact and share knowledge worldwide. By using official hashtags such as #EarthHour2025, #EarthHourDominica, and #CreateTheBiggestHour, individuals can amplify their contributions on social media, helping to spread awareness and inspire others to join the movement.
Influencers on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube were
approached to create short promotional videos to support this noble cause. We are
grateful to have received contributions from GIS winner Rachel Jno Baptiste, Carnival
Queen Kyanna Dyer, and Shy Guy. The most impactful message was delivered by Her
Excellency Mrs. Sylvanie Burton, which was subsequently shared with all media houses
for broader dissemination.
A press conference was held on March 11th, 2024, inviting all major news outlets, with
most attending, to announce Dominica’s Earth Hour 2025 initiatives. Before this, a
virtual meeting on February 28th, 2024, was conducted with stakeholders and
interested parties to discuss Earth Hour and suggest possible activities. Mr. Bercasio,
NDFD’s Business entrepreneurial and development manager was also featured on the
Hot Topics show, where he discussed Earth Hour, encouraging public participation.
Staff were equipped with branded Earth Hour shirts, and two Earth Hour Dominica signs
were printed for promotional use. Additionally, all relevant images and videos from the
Earth Hour pages were shared on social media to boost awareness and engagement.
NDFD took the lead and represented well. The total number of “documented” hours
from Dominica was 1,256 hours across all activities. This figure is reflective of the
minimum available figure due to other activities that were not recorded.
The NDFD’s Green Program and endorsement of Earth Hour 2025 highlight its ongoing
dedication to promoting renewable development and environmental stewardship both
within Dominica and on a global scale. All this comes in line with the upcoming 3rd edition of NDFD’s Green Innovations Summit which will be held in June of this year. “Greenpreneurs” looking for an opportunity to gain knowledge and more insight on how to scale their green business ideas are asked to connect with the NDFD on or before the registration deadline of 9th April 2025.
For further details or assistance with participation in this and other NDFD events, please
contact us at 275-6859 or email us at ndfd@cwdom.dm. Together, let’s make this
Earth Hour is the biggest yet for our planet.
