LocationsUnion Island’s 3D Printing and Design Capacity Building
Building Resilience with Frontier Technology
December 16, 2025
The Caribbean and SIDS at the Frontlines of Climate Change
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Union Island, part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, are on the frontlines of climate change. In 2024, Hurricane Beryl ravaged the region, leaving behind environmental, infrastructural, and social damage. For remote communities such as those in Union Island, the aftermath of such disasters are compounded by geographic isolation, disrupted supply chains, and limited access to essential goods and services. But what if the solution to these challenges could be found in the hands of the community through the power of 3D design and printing?
Empowering Union Island through 3D Printing
In November 2025, the UNDP Accelerator Lab for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, in partnership with the Union Island Environmental Alliance (UIEA), Union Island Secondary School (UISS), and local entrepreneurs, launched a pioneering 3D Design and Printing Workshop. The mission brought together local youth, educators, and civil society organizations for hands-on training in digital design and fabrication. The workshop was led by a 3D printing and design expert from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Barbados and the Accelerator Lab, with a focus on practical applications for education, disaster response, and local enterprise.
As a follow-up to this, two virtual sessions will be hosted to continue teaching and facilitate action learning.
This collaboration demonstrates how frontier technologies can be tailored to the unique needs of local businesses, strengthening livelihoods and building adaptive capacity in the face of climate shocks.
The UNDP Accelerator Lab handed over a 3D printer to the Union Island Secondary School to facilitate adoption of the technology.
UNDP/Veronica Millington
Engaging Local Stakeholders: Collaboration for Impact
A key highlight of the workshop mission was direct engagement with a diverse group of local stakeholders. Among them was TASH Enterprises, a local sea moss farming business that exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of Union Island. The opportunity to meet on the ground with stakeholders, understand their needs, gaps, and how UNDP can support Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) is core to the mandate of the Accelerator Lab.
Other stakeholders included:
- UIEA: A vital civil society partner focused on environmental stewardship and community resilience.
- UISS: The host venue and a key beneficiary, with students and educators gaining new digital skills.
- Community members and MSMEs: Entrepreneurs and innovators.
The Union Island 3D Printing and Design Workshop is not just about technology, it’s about empowering people to become innovators and first responders in their own recovery.
Why 3D Printing? A Tool for Resilience and Recovery
After Hurricane Beryl, Union Island’s connectivity and access to goods were severely threatened. In such emergencies, waiting for imported replacement parts or educational materials can delay recovery and increase vulnerability. By introducing 3D design and printing, the workshop offered a rapid-response, locally controlled solution:
- Custom Tools and Replacement Parts: Participants learned to design and fabricate items for school labs, fishing gear, and household repairs — without waiting for imports.
- Educational Aids: The technology enables the creation of tactile learning tools, including those for students with disabilities, tailored to local curricula.
- Emergency Response Items: From water pipe connectors to protective gear components, 3D printing can deliver critical supplies when supply chains are disrupted.
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation: MSMEs like TASH Enterprises can now leverage the on-island talent to have components prototyped and tested for product ideas locally, reducing costs and fostering a culture of innovation.
The workshop included discussions on how 3D printing supports climate resilience.
UNDP/Jordanna Straker
Workshop Highlights: Building Skills and Community Capacity
The workshop combined online and in-person sessions for 20 participants, including secondary school students, UIEA personnel, local entrepreneurs, and community members. Key activities included:
- Introduction to 3D Design & Printing: Exploring the relevance of 3D technology for Union Island, with real-world use cases in disaster response and education.
- Hands-On Design and Printing: Guided exercises using open-source design tools, live demonstrations, and group brainstorming on local applications.
- Sustainability and Innovation: Discussions on how 3D printing supports climate resilience, local entrepreneurship, and the creation of a network of local ambassadors for knowledge transfer.
The Accelerator Lab Approach: Innovation for Inclusion and Resilience
This initiative is a testament to UNDP’s commitment to “leave no one behind,” as outlined in the #Envision2030 agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By equipping marginalized and remote communities with frontier technologies, the Lab is fostering digital literacy, technical skills, and a spirit of self-reliance. The Union Island 3D Printing and Design Workshop is not just about technology, it’s about empowering people to become innovators and first responders in their own recovery.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact Across SIDS
The success of the Union Island 3D Printing Workshop demonstrates the transformative potential of frontier technology for SIDS facing climate risks. As climate change intensifies, UNDP will continue to champion solutions that are locally driven, inclusive, and resilient, ensuring that Union Island and similar communities are not just surviving but thriving in the face of adversity.