The Climate Change Division, Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change and Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in Jamaica and the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) announced the national launch of the project, “Enhancing Caribbean civil society’s access and readiness for climate finance”, on November 17, 2020. It is funded by a US$1.29 million grant from the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The project is being implemented from February 2020 to August 2022 by national designated authorities to the GCF across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States, with the Climate Change Division in Jamaica as the lead authority. CANARI is serving as the implementing entity for the project.

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Kingston, November 24, 2020 – The Climate Change Division, Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change and Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation in Jamaica and the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) announced the national launch of the project, “Enhancing Caribbean civil society’s access and readiness for climate finance”, on November 17, 2020. It is funded by a US$1.29 million grant from the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme of the
Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, provided remarks and highlighted that “Any challenge that impedes our growth, affects the natural environment and impacts the well-being and livelihoods of people and communities need the civil society movement at the forefront. Our future depends on your action and commitment.”

The Principal Director, Climate Change Division, Ms. UnaMay Gordon, welcomed the support of the GCF and noted that “It is in the development of strategic frameworks that we want the civil society to play a greater role and partner with government entities and accredited entities to the GCF to ensure that financing is channeled to those that need it the most.” She also thanked CANARI for their ongoing support in implementing this readiness initiative to improve civil society’s access to the GCF.

CANARI Senior Technical Officer and Project Manager, Dr. Ainka Granderson, highlighted that “Civil society in Jamaica and the wider region is well positioned to lead bottom-up approaches to tackle the climate crisis and achieve impact on the ground for vulnerable communities and their livelihoods. However, efforts are often small-scale and piecemeal as civil society lacks the necessary funding and technical assistance. Mobilising funds from GCF and other climate funds is key to better support civil
society and local communities and channel resources to the most vulnerable.” She welcomed the collaboration with the Climate Change Division and civil society in Jamaica to make this a reality.

The goal of the project is to build the capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs), including national non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations and resource user groups such as
farmer and fisherfolk associations and cooperatives, to access and deliver climate finance and build climate resilience in the Caribbean. It will enhance CSOs’ knowledge, skills and organisational structures, and strengthen institutional mechanisms to enhance civil society voice and participation in climate change decision-making nationally and regionally.

It is being implemented from February 2020 to August 2022 by national designated authorities to the GCF across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States, with the Climate Change Division in
Jamaica as the lead authority. CANARI is serving as the implementing entity for the project. The project’s scope includes the CARICOM region, with targeted activities in Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Suriname.

For more information on the project, see: https://canari.org/csos-ready-for-climate-finance

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About the Climate Change Division: The Climate Change Division was established to lead, provide strategic support, coordinate and monitor the transformational change towards a climate resilient society in Jamaica. It also plays a key role in coordinating Jamaica’s representation in international climate change negotiations. It serves as the focal point to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the national designated authority to the Adaptation Fund and GCF, which is the largest global funding mechanism that supports climate change adaptation and mitigation in developing countries. It is also the national designated entity to the Climate Technology Centre and Network.

About CANARI: The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) is a regional technical non-profit organisation which has been working in the islands of the Caribbean for over 30 years. Our mission is to promote and facilitate stakeholder participation and stewardship of natural resources in the Caribbean. Our work focuses on Biodiversity and Ecosystems, Equity, Participatory Governance and Resilience. See here for more information on CANARI: http://www.canari.org/.