Jamaica Receives US $300,000 Grant from UN Green Climate Fund

Jamaica has received a US$300,000 grant from the United Nations (UN) Green Climate Fund (GCF) to strengthen the island’s capacity to develop and implement strategies to respond to climate change.

The funds will allow for engagement of consultants in climate and development finance to provide technical support to the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation’s Climate Change Division in the development of a country programme for engagement with the GCF.

It will also promote the Fund and the priorities and financing options to stakeholders, including the private sector.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said that another US$580,000 grant has been approved for Jamaica, which will be used to crowd in the private sector to strengthen their capacity in accessing GCF resources for climate change action.

This second grant, he said, will be signed in short order.

The Minister was addressing a signing ceremony for the first grant at the Office of the Prime Minister in St. Andrew on Tuesday (October 17).

He informed that the Government is in the process of having the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) accredited as a national implementing entity, where it will forge partnership with the GCF to undertake projects, guided by the Fund’s framework and the country’s priorities.

Minister Vaz said the support from the GCF can be considered as the first step on a journey towards the financing of other projects.

He urged private-sector and non-government organisations (NGOs) “to submit your concept notes to us, and we will get the GCF to look at them. If they meet the criteria, we will ensure that the projects get support”.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Audrey Sewell, said the GCF grant, provided under the entity’s readiness facility, will put the country in the best position to take advantage of the offerings of the Fund’s larger funding ability.

She said it will ensure that “priority areas are aligned through a streamlined plan, and that funding proposals are consistent with national intended outcomes”.

Minister Vaz; Mrs. Sewell; and Principal Director in the Climate Change Division, Una May Gordon, signed for the grant.