Caribaea Initiative is an NGO, it was founded in 2014 thanks to the support of Vera Michalski-Hoffmann and the MAVA Foundation.

The initial project was born of the observation that the Caribbean islands lacked scientific expertise in conservation biology. The organisation’s headquarters was initially located at the Tour du Valat, in Camargue, southern France; it was officially transferred to the University of the French West Indies (Université des Antilles), Fouillole campus, in Guadeloupe on 1 January 2019. The administrative office is still located at the Tour du Valat. In November 2022, an independant branch of the association was created: Caribaea Initiative - Suisse.

Since its creation, Caribaea Initiative has developed research and training projects in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, St Kitts & Nevis, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Barbados, and Trinidad & Tobago, all undertaken in collaboration with local partners. Today, our action relies on a network of researchers and international specialists sharing a vision and values.