USAID Hosts Caribbean Climate Investment Program – Energy and Climate Financing for Barbados and the EC
The United States Government, through the Agency for International Development (USAID) recently hosted the Energy and Climate Financing for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean event as part of the Caribbean Climate Investment Program (CCIP) at the Hilton Barbados, Bridgetown.
USAID’s CCIP program aims to increase private sector investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation projects across the Caribbean region. The event brought together businesses, civil society organizations, and financial institutions with an interest in clean energy transition, and climate resilience and adaptation solutions.
In her remarks, U.S. Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS, Linda Taglialatela highlighted that the Biden-Harris Administration has made addressing climate change one of its top priorities. She explained that the CCIP is part of the United States Government’s initiative, U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030). The CCIP is a part of PACC 2030’s focus on energy security, climate adaptation, and the transition to renewable energy in the Caribbean region.
Barbados’ Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins in her remarks emphasized the need for the private sector to work hand in hand with the public sector to help reach renewable energy goals. In addition, she mentioned that the Government of Barbados is not only committed to the transition to renewable energy but seeks to be a global leader in it.
The CCIP aims to:
- Provide advisory services to private sector partners, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, that are developing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects;
- Increase the access to finance to financial institutions, companies and civil society organizations working with renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies; and
- Provide technical and financial support to businesses, communities, and other entities in developing, scaling, or improving climate change adaptation practices and technologies.
Currently, the CCIP has an open call for grant concept notes, through March 31, 2024. Prospective applicants can submit a concept paper to receive financial and technical assistance and support, subject to the availability of funds. More information and the submission portal can be found at https://www.climatelinks.org/CCIP.
Private sector-led submissions are eligible only from Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.