D-TAP FOUNDATION
OUR VISION
"In 2035, Curaçao is the safest, most resilient, and sustainable island in the Caribbean where everyone feels welcome and at home".
D-TAP Foundation selflessly sets up these Club17 communities for the betterment of society and coordinates all contacts and projects to achieve their shared objectives.
How it all started
Club17 emerged from the preferred partnership of Water Refill Program Curaçao, which focuses primarily on reducing single-use plastic water bottles. In 2019, the partners signed an intention statement to make Curaçao a more beautiful and better place for both current and future generations. This to protect all the beauty and uniqueness that Curaçao has to offer and by connecting the strength of the local community and visitors to treat each other and nature more sustainably.
In the wake of the pandemic, the Preferred Partnership underwent a transformation as partners collaborated to explore ways to make Curaçao a better place to live, work, and visit. With their combined reach and considerable knowledge, expertise, and capacity, Club17 is not only dedicated to taking concrete steps toward a more sustainable Curaçao, but also to inspiring other local stakeholders to support our vision. Through collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and expertise, we can make an even greater impact and effect significant change
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are our compass and guide us in our pursuit of a better future.
Together, we strive to make Curaçao the best place to live, work, and visit, while working towards a sustainable future for everyone."
How Club17 works.
Our 4 step strategy
01.
Develop shared vision:
In this step, Club17 brings together local stakeholders, such as individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. The aim is to facilitate open discussions and dialogues to create a shared vision for a more sustainable community. This vision is built upon the insights and knowledge each stakeholder brings to the table as part of their work and as citizens. The shared vision acts as a guiding framework for all subsequent actions and initiatives.
02.
Making a baseline:
After establishing the shared vision, Club17 proceeds to develop a baseline of sustainable initiatives already existing in the local community. This involves identifying and cataloging all the ongoing sustainable actions, projects, and initiatives, which could include efforts related to climate protection, social community development, and sustainable business activities. The baseline serves as a comprehensive overview of the current state of sustainability in the community.
03.
Making an integrated action plan:
Using the information from the baseline, Club17 identifies gaps and areas of improvement to bridge the distance between the current situation and the shared vision. An integrated action plan is then crafted, outlining specific steps and strategies to be undertaken to achieve the common sustainability goal. This plan may involve collaborative efforts, resource allocation, and timelines to guide stakeholders throughout the implementation process.
04.
Initiate projects and monitoring:
With the integrated action plan in place, Club17 collaborates with the stakeholders to initiate sustainable projects and initiatives. These projects are designed to align with the shared vision and address the identified gaps in the baseline. Club17 encourages broad community participation, including individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies, by providing resources and support to help stakeholders develop and implement their initiatives. Throughout the process, Club17 closely monitors the progress made towards achieving sustainability goals. They offer feedback and support to stakeholders as needed and measure the results of their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Regular communication of progress and outcomes to the broader community inspires further action towards sustainability and reinforces the commitment to the shared vision.
"Collaborating with the government of Curacao is crucial for creating a sustainable future for all. By working together, we can build stronger and more resilient communities, promote sustainable practices, and address environmental and social challenges that affect us all.
Members Club 17 Curacao
Essential Support Partners
At Club17 Curaçao, we cherish our rich network of partners, collectively driven by the ambition to transform our island into the safest, most resilient, inclusive, and sustainable community in the Caribbean. Our vision for 2035 is not just ambitious but requires a coordinated effort of knowledge, time, networks, and experience from diverse organizations.
Together, we work towards this shared dream through a four-step strategy.
In this endeavor, we recognize a special group within our community: our Essential Support Partners. These partners form the backbone of our organization, and their contributions are indispensable for keeping Club17 Curaçao operational and fulfilling our mission. These dedicated organizations and individuals understand the importance of concrete action and commit to social impact. Their support enables us to fulfill essential roles within our organization, crucial for realizing our vision.
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Unique to our collaboration is that our partners do not pay a financial membership. Instead, they invest in social return, a testament to our collective commitment to actual change. This makes the support from our Essential Support Partners even more valuable. They are not just a foundation for our current efforts but also for our future plans, allowing us to effectively prepare for the next steps towards 2035.
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Every member of our Club17 community plays a vital role on this joint journey. However, the Essential Support Partners deserve special recognition for their profound impact and dedication. Their unwavering support is the key to our progress and success.
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Together, we form a powerful unit of action and hope, building a Curaçao that reflects what we dream together. To our Essential Support Partners: our sincere thanks. Your support is at the heart of everything we do and makes every step forward possible.
Team Curacao
Club17 is powered by a dedicated team of individuals who share a passion for creating a more sustainable future for their community. Led by a knowledgeable and committed coordinator, along with two strategic partners, this team is responsible for the development and execution of Club17's initiatives. With a focus on collaboration, innovation, and impact, the Club17 team is always looking for new ways to engage and empower their community towards a more sustainable future.
Summer meeting 2024
Corendon Hotels & Resorts
Celebrating new milestones
At Club17 Curaçao’s 2024 Festive Summer Meeting, over 100 guests, including representatives from the organization’s 27 members and other invitees, gathered to celebrate significant sustainability achievements and launch new initiatives. Hosted by Corendon Hotels & Resorts, the event highlighted the island’s ongoing efforts toward a safer, more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future, under the leadership of Lara Melkert, coordinator of Club17 Curaçao.
The event celebrated a remarkable achievement: within just three months, Club17 Curaçao's collective efforts saved 605,280 single-use plastic bottles, far surpassing the original goal of 500,000. This success emphasizes the power of collaboration in advancing sustainability in Curaçao. A key moment of the event was the launch of the official Club17 Curaçao Water Bottle, designed by Deidre Polonius. This reusable bottle, symbolizing sustainability and partnership, aims to reduce thousands of single-use plastic bottles annually. The proceeds will fund future sustainable projects on the island. The first bottle was presented to MP Giselle Mc William, who praised Club17’s collaborative work towards a cleaner and greener Curaçao.
Club17 Curaçao also welcomed 10 new partners to its mission, including CITI, Curaçao Clean Up, Blue NAP Americas, Future Islands, FLOW, Corendon Hotels & Partners, Sharks & Lions, OBNA Bank, and the Curaçao Tourism Board. These partners are committed to advancing the organization’s vision and enhancing its impact.
Remco Meulens, Assistant Managing Director of Business Banking at Maduro & Curiels Bank, expressed his gratitude for Club17’s efforts and emphasized the bank’s pride in being part of an organization actively contributing to a more sustainable Curaçao. He showcased several MCB-supported projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. Leidy Grigori, Product & Content Developer at Aqualectra, introduced a new school campaign, a collaboration between four Club17 Curaçao partners, aimed at raising awareness and promoting sustainability among younger generations. This initiative highlights the collective commitment of members to involve future generations in building a sustainable Curaçao.Guests were also treated to an exhibition showcasing the individual sustainability efforts of Club17 Curaçao members, providing an inspiring look at the real actions taken to make a lasting difference on the island.
Another major announcement was the strengthened partnership between the hospitality sector and the Curaçao Tourism Board (CTB), which aims to leverage knowledge and resources for sustainable tourism development, setting the stage for tangible progress in this critical area. Lara Melkert closed the event with a powerful message: "Together, we have the power to bring the change our island needs. Let’s maintain this momentum and build the Curaçao we all dream of."
The event concluded with a networking reception, offering guests the opportunity to discuss the initiatives and explore future collaboration. It served as a testament to the collective impact that can be achieved when individuals and organizations unite for a common goal.
Join CLub17 Curacao
Are you interested in becoming a member of Club17 and joining our mission to create a sustainable future for Curacao?
Do you have ideas for future projects and want to make a contribution?
We welcome organizations who share our vision and want to collaborate with us.
By joining Club17, you can share your knowledge and inspire others, and together we can make a positive impact on the island.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can work together
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