$5.6M in grants announced for women-led climate projects

IN a major stride toward promoting gender-responsive climate resilience in the Caribbean, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) has officially launched its Gender Smart Facility under the Caribbean Organizations for a Resilient Environment (CORE) project. This initiative, announced in Saint Lucia, marks a critical step in addressing climate change while empowering women and vulnerable groups in the region.

The CORE project, which commenced in April 2023, focuses on bridging funding gaps for ecosystem-based climate adaptation projects across the Caribbean. One year after its inception, the launch of the Gender Smart Facility introduces specialised financing that ensures women and marginalised communities across eight target countries have greater access to climate funding and a stronger voice in decision-making.
Abebech Assefa, Canada’s Head of Cooperation for the Eastern Caribbean, emphasised the significance of the initiative, stating, “Canada is proud to support the launch of the Gender Smart Facility so that climate funding can go directly to communities to support gender-responsive and women-led climate resilience efforts across the Caribbean.”

The Gender Smart Facility will disburse $5.6 million in grants to National Conservation Trust Funds (NCTFs) in Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname. These grants will prioritise ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) projects, particularly those spearheaded by women’s organisations and local community groups. The projects aim to protect critical ecosystems, such as mangroves, coral reefs, and forests, while bolstering resilience against the adverse effects of climate change.
Karen McDonald Gayle, CEO of the CBF, highlighted the importance of inclusivity in climate action: “This launch represents a crucial step in ensuring that the needs of women and marginalised groups are equally considered in CBF’s funding for climate resilience projects. We are committed to fostering a more inclusive, equitable approach to climate action in the Caribbean, and the Gender Smart Facility will be key in making this vision a reality.”

Funded by Global Affairs Canada and co-financed by the CBF, the CORE project integrates a gender-responsive approach into the region’s climate resilience efforts. By applying a human rights-based lens, the Gender Smart Facility ensures that grants are distributed based on comprehensive gender analysis, addressing the unique challenges faced by women and other vulnerable groups.

The CORE project will also enhance the skills of 25 environmental and women’s rights organisations, helping them incorporate gender-responsiveness into environmental strategies and circular economy initiatives. Through regional collaboration, the initiative promotes knowledge sharing and strengthens partnerships between NCTFs and local organisations.

As the Caribbean faces the dual threats of climate change and biodiversity loss, the Gender Smart Facility is poised to become a cornerstone of CBF’s broader mission of safeguarding the region’s natural resources while empowering marginalised communities.
Founded in 2012, the CBF has committed over $30 million to more than 100 projects aimed at preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development in the Caribbean. The Gender Smart Facility continues this legacy by ensuring that climate resilience efforts are inclusive and equitable, addressing the needs of the most vulnerable communities in the region.

Canada has been a longstanding partner in advancing climate and economic resilience in the Caribbean. Following the devastating 2017 hurricane season, Canada fulfilled a $100 million pledge for Caribbean reconstruction, focusing on natural disaster planning and response. In 2022, Canada announced $44.8 million in new climate initiatives at the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, further supporting efforts to protect biodiversity and enhance disaster preparedness in the region.

Canada remains a vocal advocate for small island and low-lying states, which are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Through initiatives like the Gender Smart Facility, Canada reaffirms its commitment to helping Caribbean nations build a more resilient, inclusive future.