The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) welcomes the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) approval of the Climate Actions for Building Resilience in Coastal Communities (CABRIC) project, a major investment in locally driven climate adaptation across the Caribbean.
The five-year project, valued at approximately US$44 million, will benefit The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Lucia. It will focus on strengthening local institutions, improving access to adaptation funding and equipping communities with the resources and knowledge to respond to growing climate threats.
Commenting on the approval, CCCCC Executive Director, Dr. Colin Young, stated:
“We welcome the Green Climate Fund’s approval of the CABRIC project, a transformational investment that will provide critical support to vulnerable coastal communities in five Caribbean countries. This project has been intentionally designed to ensure that grant resources reach the communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, while placing women and girls at the centre of project design and outcomes.”
At the heart of CABRIC is a US$25 million locally led adaptation grant facility, which will finance community-driven initiatives through three grant windows, with funding of up to US$500,000 per project. Investments will support climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable fisheries, mangrove restoration, early warning systems, climate-resilient health facilities and initiatives addressing the social and psychological impacts of climate change.
delight in the multi-country project’s focus on locally led adaptation, which she noted was essential in ensuring that the climate finance reaches the most vulnerable communities.
“I appreciate the provision of the grant-based financing and the leadership of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre as the regional direct access entity, and its involvement and relationship with the five countries, which will ensure that the outcomes and objectives of this project are fully realised. I think this proposal is a strong example of country ownership, which will empower these communities and build resilience.”
Complementing these investments, the project will provide technical assistance to strengthen the ability of local organisations to develop and manage adaptation projects, while supporting gender-responsive coastal policies. A regional Knowledge Hub and community of practice will also facilitate the exchange of practical experience, climate risk information and lessons learned among participating countries.
Underscoring the importance of locally led adaptation, Kristin Lang, GCF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said:
“CABRIC will place adaptation finance and decision-making closer to vulnerable coastal communities in The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Lucia. Its locally led grant facility will support at least 118 subprojects, while the wider programme will strengthen the capacity of local organisations and reach nearly 1 million people. GCF’s investment will build institutions while financing solutions shaped by local needs.”
As a regional accredited Direct Access Entity of the GCF, the CCCCC will work alongside the five participating countries and Grant Administrators to facilitate project delivery, building on its mandate to support CARICOM Member States in accessing and implementing climate finance.
Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Dr. Young added:
“I want to express gratitude to the five beneficiary countries for the continued confidence they have placed in CCCCC as a regional direct access entity. I acknowledge our CCCCC’s team who led the development of this proposal, and the five national grant administrators, who are critical partners for success. We are grateful to the Green Climate Fund for its continued confidence in and support to the CCCCC as a regional accredited Direct Access Entity. We remain committed to mobilising and delivering climate finance that strengthens the resilience of our Member States against the worsening impacts of climate change.”
CABRIC’s approval will pave the way for implementation of an approach that combines direct community investment with institutional strengthening and regional collaboration, helping to ensure that participating countries are better equipped to address present and future climate risks.
