Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge for Climate Resilience and Economic Empowerment: Pathways to Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

This study explores the role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in promoting climate resilience and economic empowerment in St. Kitts and Nevis, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced shocks. Employing a qualitative research design, the study draws on semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with local farmers, fisherfolk, artisans, and community elders. Guided by a decolonial and human capabilities approach, the study interrogates the intersections between cultural heritage, sustainable livelihoods, and local adaptation strategies. Data were analysed thematically to identify patterns of knowledge transmission, adaptive practices, and community-led innovation. Key findings reveal that traditional ecological knowledge, agroecological methods, and informal economic networks serve as crucial, yet underrecognized, tools for enhancing resilience and livelihood security. However, structural barriers such as policy marginalization and lack of institutional support inhibit the full integration of IKS into national development planning. The research contributes original insights into how local knowledge systems can serve as catalysts for inclusive, culturally rooted development, aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It offers a compelling argument for reconfiguring development paradigms to centre Indigenous agency in climate adaptation and economic transformation within the Caribbean SIDS context.