The Caribbean Virtual E-Commerce Accelerator Programme (VEAP) was a 15-month programme implemented by Caribbean Export with funding provided by Expertise France under the auspices of the Digital REsponse Connecting CiTizens Programme (DIRECCT) – a joint initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OEACP) and the European Union. The programme began in September 2022 and concluded in December 2023.

The core client-facing activities of VEAP were designed as a 6-month practical learning experience for Caribbean firms to enhance the beneficiaries’ knowledge of e-commerce and the implementation of e-commerce strategies, thereby growing online export sales from the Caribbean. Two phases of VEAP were implemented. The second phase replicated the accelerator program, incorporating lessons learnt from the initial intervention, with a new cohort of firms. The training and coaching sessions were recorded and placed in a publicly accessible repository, along with all related documentation and resources. These resources were intended to be utilized by Business Support Organisations (BSOs) to advance e-commerce adoption initiatives beyond the VEAP project.

The project aimed to increase the number of firms in the Caribbean engaged in e-commerce by building their capacity to implement effective e-commerce strategies, ultimately leading to a higher volume of exports from Caribbean SMEs through digital trade.

VEAP aimed to build the capacity of Business Support Organisations (BSOs) and firms to adopt e-Commerce technologies and processes, leading to broader and more effective market reach, customer engagement, and export sales.

Specifically, the initiative:

• Trained Caribbean firms and BSOs in e-commerce principles and practices, including strategy and operations.
• Increased the number of new Caribbean e-commerce sites.
• Expanded the variety of Caribbean products sold through e-commerce.
• Boosted export sales via e-commerce.
• Enabled the entry of Caribbean products into new markets.
• Equipped BSOs with e-commerce coaching skills.
• Provided BSOs and firms with essential online e-commerce tools.