Unsung Heroes programme opens for 2026 nominations

A regional search is underway for everyday Barbadians making an extraordinary impact, as CIBC Caribbean relaunches its Unsung Heroes programme with cash awards totalling thousands of dollars and a renewed push to spotlight quiet acts of service, bravery and kindness.

The CIBC Caribbean Unsung Heroes Programme is back for 2026, with organisers calling on Barbadians to nominate ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their communities.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative on Thursday at the Michael Mansoor Building, Victor Boyce, Head of Country for Barbados at CIBC Caribbean, said last year’s relaunch was a major success and underscored the importance of recognising quiet acts of service, bravery and kindness.

The initiative operates across the 10 Caribbean territories where the bank has a presence.

“Each country seeks out its own heroes, and those who emerge as local winners are sent on to be judged by a regional judging panel which chooses the regional unsung hero and two runners-up,” he added.

The programme, relaunched in 2025, accepts nominations for individuals aged 10 and older. Boyce said broadening the age range last year revealed inspiring stories of young people making significant contributions in their communities.

“We saw that there were some young people who were doing phenomenal things,” he said.

In addition to community service, nominees can also be recognised for acts of bravery, heroism or extraordinary kindness carried out within the past 12 months.

Boyce noted that many past nominees and winners were often unaware of the impact they had made.

“Almost all of our heroes whom we have identified via this programme have been surprised when they were chosen and they tell us that they were humbled even to have been nominated,” he said.

He pointed to last year’s Barbados winner, Carla Daniel, whose work protecting turtles and raising environmental awareness captured public attention.

“She was not only instrumental in saving the turtle population, but she impacted many of us who heard about what she was doing,” Boyce said, recalling how Daniel once jumped into a ditch to rescue a trapped turtle.

Encouraging members of the public to submit nominations, Boyce urged Barbadians, visitors and temporary residents alike to recognise individuals making a meaningful difference.

“Do you know of someone who has performed an act of heroism or bravery which has not been recognised?” he asked. “Log on to our corporate website, CIBCCaribbean.com, and follow the easy steps to nominating your CIBC Caribbean Unsung Heroes.”

The national winner will receive $10 000, while the runner-up will receive $5 000. At the regional level, the top prize is US$10 000 ($20 000), with runners-up receiving US$7 000 ($14 000) and US$5 000 ($10 000) respectively. A new US$1 000 ($2 000) incentive prize will also be awarded to the person who nominates the regional winner.

(SB)