USAID, CBF, and EFJ collaborate to safeguard ecosystems and increase climate resilience by improving grantmaking mechanisms and technical capacities of Conservation Trust Funds
16 February 2024 – The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and in partnership with the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ), is embarking on a project to increase environmental project grants in the Caribbean. Funded by the USAID, the 5-year project will benefit 11 Caribbean countries: Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Despite their low contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, climate change poses a serious threat to all Caribbean nations. Caribbean small island developing states are particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change due to their reliance on sectors vulnerable to climate patterns such as tourism, agriculture and fishing. Caribbean nations are also affected by rising sea levels, changes in rain patterns and temperatures, and increasing intensity of natural disasters identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Addressing the severe challenges affecting the Caribbean’s biodiversity natural resources requires a coordinated effort.
Signed in August 2023, the USAID Sustainable Financing for Caribbean Regional Conservation Project valued at US 3,999,050 million dollars, is dedicated to increasing the region’s climate and disaster resilience. The project, implemented by the CBF and EFJ, will strengthen grant processes for CBF partner national conservation trust funds (NCTFs) and increase technical capabilities for them in implementing critical conservation efforts across the region. CBF’s funding is awarded through NCTFs to implement activities that help communities conserve biodiversity, build resilience to climate change and pursue sustainable development in the Caribbean.
“El Proyecto de Financiamiento Sostenible para la Conservación Regional del Caribe de USAID es una oportunidad para los socios del CBF que otorgan subvenciones que se alinean con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible 13, 14 y 15 de las Naciones Unidas. Contribuir a estos objetivos: Acción por el Clima (ODS 13), Vida Submarina (ODS 14) y En la Tierra (ODS 15) marcará una diferencia significativa en la región”, dijo Karen McDonald Gayle, directora ejecutiva del CBF.
Añadió: “La CBF se complace especialmente en que el ODS 17, que se refiere a la creación de alianzas para los objetivos sostenibles, sea un componente fundamental de este proyecto. Para ello, la CBF colabora con la Fundación Ambiental de Jamaica en la implementación del proyecto para aprovechar su amplia experiencia en la concesión de subvenciones para la conservación”.”
Se espera que este Proyecto de Financiamiento Sostenible de USAID para la Conservación Regional del Caribe genere un cambio positivo en la conservación y protección de los recursos naturales de la región, permitiendo que la gente y la naturaleza del Caribe sigan prosperando en los años venideros.
ABOUT THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID) – USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. Learn more about how the USAID.
ABOUT THE CARIBBEAN BIODIVERSITY FUND (CBF) – The CBF was established in 2012 to create reliable, long-term funding for conservation and sustainable development in the Caribbean region. The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) is a regional umbrella environmental fund that uses a flexible structure to implement innovative solutions and consolidate resource mobilization in the Caribbean through a range of financial instruments. Currently, the CBF has three programs: the Conservation Finance Program, based on an endowment fund; the Climate Change Program, focused on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) strategies; and the Nature-based Economies Program with an Advancing Circular Economy focus. Learn more about how the CBF.
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDATION OF JAMAICA (EFJ) – EFJ was established to facilitate the promotion and implementation of activities which will conserve and manage the natural resources and environment of Jamaica and improve and positively impact child development. EFJ has been working to this end through the provision of funding to Non-Governmental and Community based Organisations and academic Institutions and in partnership with key stakeholders throughout the length and breadth of the island. The funding provided by EFJ has impacted the natural and built environmental landscape, children, communities, livelihoods, and plant and animal species to name a few. Since its inception, EFJ has approved over 1,334 projects in the amount of J$3,031.22 million. Learn more about how the EFJ.
Contacto
For more information, please contact the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund.
Renée Smith
[email protected]