National Development Foundation expands initiatives for Earth Hour 2026

Executive Director of the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD), Cletus Joseph, said this year the foundation will continue its journey to encourage others to join in its Earth Hour 2026 journey.

He made the statement while delivering remarks during a press conference this week.

Earth Hour, observed annually on the final Saturday of March, originated as a symbolic event where individuals and organizations turn off their lights to show support for environmental sustainability. Over the years, it has expanded into one of the largest grassroots movements worldwide, inspiring countless participants to dedicate an hour to activities that positively impact the planet.

Since taking charge of Earth Hour activities in Dominica in 2021, NDFD has shifted the focus from mere symbolism to actionable projects, explained a release from the group. Through organized community clean-ups, youth awareness programs, educational outreach, and collaborations with civil society groups, the Foundation says it has consistently promoted eco-friendly practices and environmental responsibility across the island.

“The importance of bringing a board and one of our main activities will be the inclusion of the secondary school students,” Joseph said. “ Part of the activities we will be again  pursuing is that of the use of technology and how we can use it to foster and to advance our own…encouraging these young persons to be creative with their minds and their words and their hands and their techniques and technologies that they can use to help develop the future and to get involved in community activities that can benefit themselves now and later on as they move on in life.”

 He went on to state that one of the  important things the NDFD is looking at in the long term is to see how these young persons of school age will contribute to the future of having an Earth Hour.

“We look forward to the greater community joining us…, “ Joseph asserted.

He said the  NDFD will continue to work with the inclusion of green innovations, not just in our activities but also through the Green Innovations Summit that the foundation will host every year, which encourages entrepreneurs to green their enterprises and to help develop it.

“We have these persons to develop through a series of trainings,” he said. “We also  continue to advance our green loans to  small business owners who  want to ensure that their businesses  are sustainable in terms of the profits that they can derive by implementing green strategies  in terms of ensuring that they contribute positively through the use of these technologies in the overall  operations of the businesses.”

While delivering the context behind the NDFD Earth Hour 2026, Donald Bercasio said the foundation launched its Pioneering Green Program as a decisive step toward embedding sustainability within enterprise development.

He explained that the same launch introduced NDFD’s Green Loan Facility, designed to finance energy efficiency,  renewable systems,  waste reduction, and climate-resilient technologies.

Furthermore, he said it was also in that moment that NDFD formally assumed leadership of Dominica’s official Earth Hour observance,  aligning with the global  WWF-led movement.

“That first year, streaming through our digital platforms symbolized more than switching off lights.  It represented the integration of environmental advocacy with practical business support,” Bercasio explained. “It also served as  the launch pad of our inaugural Green Innovation Summit.”

And according to him, in 2022, despite pandemic-era constraints, the NDFD strengthened this commitment.

“We hosted a live, streamed national discussion on climate action, led tree planting initiatives, and coordinated lights off participation with institutional partner…,” he stated. It was also a demonstration that sustainability leadership does not pause during challenging times.  Then, in 2023,  we witnessed a particular historic milestone.  The state house,  the official residence  of our president, joined  the Global Earth Hour moment  by switching off  its lights.”

Bercasio mentioned further that the symbolic act placed Dominica alongside iconic international landmarks.

“A hybrid panel discussion on environmentally conscious solutions for small businesses further reinforced our role as a convener of sustainability dialogue,” he revealed. “Across these first three years, Earth Hour evolved from a symbolic observance into a structured platform linking public awareness, small business development, green financing, and climate resilience.”

 He said in 2024 and 2025, the Foundation continued to build on these milestones, expanding public engagement, deepening partnerships, and strengthening the integration of Earth Hour within our broader sustainability agenda. It was also in that year, 2025, that WWF officially recognized NDFD for its contributions to the Earth Hour movement.

“What began as a symbolic observance has now matured into an established national platform for dialogue,  advocacy, and green enterprise promotion,” he noted. “As we enter 2026, Earth Hour stands not merely as an annual event,  but as part of a sustained movement,  one that aligns climate awareness with practical financing solutions,  innovation, and responsible business development. “

 Today, as the Foundation continues to advance this initiative with the support of its team and partners,  Bercasio said the NDFD reaffirms that Earth Hour is not merely 60 minutes of  darkness.

“It is a reminder that sustainable development requires consistent leadership, innovation, and collective action,” he emphasized.

Business Support Specialist at NDFD, Demian Dumas, said Earth Hour has become a globally recognized moment of reflection and commitment.

“Here in Dominica, it also represents partnership, it represents institutions coming together,  communities standing together,  and young people stepping forward with ideas and energy,” he said.  “Today signals the beginning of this year’s coordinated activities.  It reflects collaboration,  planning, and a shared understanding that sustainable development  must include environmental stewardship at every level.”

He continued, “We are especially grateful to our partners,  educators, and media professionals  who continue to support initiatives that promote awareness  and responsible actions across the island.”

Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer (PRO) Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporartion (DSWMC) Rhoda St John said since assuming leadership of Earth Hour activities in 2021, NDFD has transformed the observance in Dominica from a symbolic gesture into a platform for tangible impact.

“Through coordinated community cleanups, youth sensitization campaigns, educational outreach, and strategic partnerships with civil society organizations,  the foundation has consistently promoted responsibility and sustainable practices across the island,” she stated.

She noted that for 2026,  the global campaign will be executed under the theme: ’60 minutes for the planet’.

“This theme emphasizes that meaningful change can be achieved with a single  intentional goal,  whether through planting trees,  reducing waste, conserving energy,  educating others, or restoring community spaces, every action contributes resilience  and protecting Dominica’s natural environment,” St John explained.

 In partnership with the DSWMC, the NDFD will implement a structured three-tiered school engagement initiative designed to mobilize students at every educational level.