A Caribbean Vision for Independent Change
When Traditional Development Fails, Communities Must Lead
The idea for CARET didn’t begin in a boardroom or emerge from a white paper. It was born from years of watching Caribbean communities wait—wait for funding, wait for approval, wait for distant institutions to recognize their needs. At Stichting Marlin Yard Foundation, we realized that waiting wasn’t working. The Caribbean deserved better.
The Problem We Couldn’t Ignore
Across the Caribbean islands, brilliant sustainable development projects languish unfunded. Communities know exactly what they need: renewable energy systems, sustainable housing, local food production, inter-island connectivity. The solutions exist. The passion exists. But traditional funding mechanisms—with their bureaucratic delays, political complications, and distant decision-makers—create barriers instead of bridges.
We watched as:
- Food security projects struggled to secure capital while islands imported 90% of their food
- Sustainable housing initiatives remained on paper while communities faced climate vulnerability
- Inter-island ferry services stayed grounded while isolation limited economic opportunity
- Local entrepreneurs couldn’t access the resources to build resilient businesses
The irony was painful: the Caribbean, surrounded by abundant sun, wind, and ocean resources, remained dependent on external systems that didn’t prioritize island communities.
17 Reasons to Act Independently
The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals outline humanity’s greatest challenges. But at Marlin Yard Foundation, we don’t see them as distant policy frameworks—we see them as 17 urgent reasons to create safe harbors for those who need them most.
We believe in working on these goals independently, without waiting for global consensus or institutional approval. The Caribbean faces real challenges today: climate vulnerability, economic inequality, food insecurity, limited infrastructure. These aren’t abstract future problems—they’re daily realities for island communities.
So we asked ourselves: What if we could connect impact investors directly with Caribbean projects? What if blockchain technology could cut through bureaucracy and put funding decisions in the hands of communities themselves?
That question became CARET—the Caribbean Eco Token.
Blockchain as a Bridge, Not a Barrier
CARET isn’t just another cryptocurrency. It’s a direct funding mechanism that connects global investors with specific, measurable Caribbean sustainable development projects. When you purchase CARET tokens, you’re not speculating on abstract value—you’re funding:
- Food Farm Gardens bringing agricultural self-sufficiency to Sint Maarten
- The Keys Market empowering local entrepreneurs and reducing import dependency
- Merriment Green Eco Village creating affordable, climate-resilient housing
- The Antillean Ferry Services connecting isolated island communities
- Hofi Diamant pioneering sustainable living in Aruba’s unique desert ecology
Every token represents a vote for Caribbean independence, environmental stewardship, and community-driven development.
Community Governance: Your Voice Matters
Traditional development projects fail when distant decision-makers ignore local knowledge. CARET flips this model. Token holders have voting rights on key project decisions and fund allocations. This isn’t charity—it’s partnership. It’s recognizing that the best solutions come from communities themselves, supported by investors who believe in their vision.
Our community-driven governance ensures:
- Transparency in how funds are allocated
- Accountability through blockchain verification
- Democracy where token holders shape project priorities
- Local leadership driving implementation
From Three Islands to Seven: A Growing Network
We’re starting with proven projects across Sint Maarten, Aruba, and Anguilla—three islands where we’ve built relationships, understood needs, and identified transformative opportunities. But this is just the beginning.
By 2028, CARET will expand to seven Caribbean islands, creating a comprehensive network of sustainable development initiatives. Each island becomes a model, a safe harbor demonstrating what’s possible when communities control their own development.
Why Now? Why CARET?
Climate change isn’t waiting. Economic inequality isn’t waiting. Food insecurity isn’t waiting. The Caribbean can’t afford to wait for traditional systems to catch up.
CARET offers a different path:
- Speed: Blockchain enables rapid, transparent funding
- Independence: Communities lead their own development
- Impact: Every token funds measurable, real-world projects
- Scalability: Success in one island inspires and enables others
- Sustainability: Projects generate long-term community benefits
An Invitation to Build Safe Harbors
Stichting Marlin Yard Foundation created CARET because we believe the Caribbean deserves to lead its own future. We believe sustainable development shouldn’t require permission from distant institutions. We believe impact investing should create real impact, not just feel-good marketing.
CARET is our answer to years of watching communities wait. It’s blockchain technology serving human needs. It’s global capital meeting local wisdom. It’s 17 reasons to act, transformed into tangible Caribbean projects.
We invite you to join us—not as passive donors, but as active partners in Caribbean sustainable development. Your CARET tokens don’t just represent investment potential; they represent belief in community-driven change.
The Caribbean has waited long enough. Together, we’re building the safe harbors our communities deserve.
Ready to be part of the CARET movement? Learn more about our token pre-sale and discover the projects your investment will support.
