June 12, 2025 | CCCCC Press Release 005
San Pedro, Belize – More than 50 climate change practitioners from across the Caribbean convened in San Pedro, Belize, on May 23, 2025, for a three-day high-level training workshop designed to build practical skills for developing bankable climate change adaptation projects. The event, sponsored by the Adaptation Fund (AF), Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and delivered in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) and the Government of Belize, focused on strengthening both regional and individual capacity to effectively access and manage resources from the AF.
Held under the theme “Developing Practical Skills to Build Bankable Climate Change Adaptation Projects in the Caribbean,” the workshop sought to:
(i) strengthen regional capacity and provide critical insights into accessing AF resources,
(ii) enhance individual skills essential for engaging in or supervising the preparation of climate change adaptation projects eligible for AF financing, and
(iii) provide a platform to contextualize, review, and discuss project ideas proposed by AF implementing entities within the region.
Welcoming participants to Belize and the event, Carlos Pol, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Economic Transformation, emphasized that this workshop arrives at a critical moment for the Caribbean.
“It is imperative that we strengthen our collective ability to access climate finance,” he stated, highlighting that organizations like the Adaptation Fund play a critical role in addressing the region’s unique vulnerabilities to climate change. The workshop offered a valuable opportunity for practical learning, with sessions designed to guide participants through the Adaptation Fund accreditation process and support the development of strong, fundamental adaptation project proposals. Mr. Pol encouraged countries to bring forward their national and regional adaptation ideas, collaborate with their peers, and refine projects that have the potential to attract meaningful financial support for climate adaptation across the Caribbean.”
Participants included representatives from government agencies, national and regional implementing entities, civil society, and technical experts who are at the forefront of climate adaptation in the Caribbean. Over the four-day workshop, participants engaged with practical tools, case studies, and expert presentations aimed at equipping them with the skills needed to develop strong, high quality proposals aligned with the AF requirements and standards. The sessions were carefully structured to build capacity for entities to navigate the accreditation process of the Fund, share simple guidance on AF’s proposal processes, and improve the success rate of project submissions from the Caribbean region. The workshop also highlighted successful projects from the Fund’s national implementing entities through AF’s pioneering Direct Access modality that empowers country ownership in adaptation.
The training builds on ongoing efforts by the CCCCC to strengthen the Caribbean’s climate finance readiness and ensure that countries are well-positioned to transform adaptation needs into actionable, fundable projects.
Executive Director of the CCCCC, Dr. Colin Young, addressed participants at the opening ceremony, stating, “This workshop being led by Adaptation Fund , in partnership with Direct Access Entities, that seeks to build greater capacities in countries and among Accredited Entities to prepare bankable projects is critical to increase the flow of climate finance to the Region. As such, the Adaptation Fund must be commended for holding these training workshops across the various regions, including right here in Belize. These practical workshops will contribute to unlocking greater climate finance for our Member States and catalyse climate-resilient development on the ground. The Adaptation Fund’s focus on direct access modalities, country-specific and community-focused adaptation projects are particularly key to building the adaptive resilience of our people.”
Delivering remarks on behalf of Mr. Mikko Ollikainen, Head of the Adaptation Fund Secretariat, Farayi Madziwa, Coordinator of the Readiness Programme for Climate Finance, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the region’s unwavering commitment to advancing climate resilience.
“Your presence here today is a powerful testament to the growing recognition of the critical need to improve access to climate finance,” Mr. Madziwa stated. “We deeply value your ongoing support, dedication, and leadership in driving forward adaptation project development in Belize and in the Caribbean as a whole.”
He continued, “We are especially proud to convene this gathering in partnership with three of our accredited implementing entities: the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre , the Caribbean Development Bank , and the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) . Through this collaboration, we are collectively strengthening the foundation for a more climate-resilient and sustainable Caribbean.”
To date, the AF has committed US$ 357 million to 44 projects in Latin America and the Caribbean, representing about 24 percent of its global portfolio. The workshop included a visit to an AF-funded project in Belize carried out by PACT and aimed at enhancing resilience and conservation for vulnerable coastal communities.
The AF also highlighted several recent milestone decisions from its Board to further enhance opportunities for vulnerable countries. These included doubling AF’s country spending cap from US$ 20 million to US$ 40 million, raising the cap on individual country projects from US$ 10 million to US$ 25 million, increasing the cap on regional projects from US$ 14 million to US$ 30 million, and establishing a US$ 30 million Locally Led Adaptation regional program to accompany AF’s single-country LLA programs
As the Caribbean continues to face escalating climate risks, initiatives like these aid in fostering greater climate resilience, providing hope and a clear pathway for Member states. Through shared knowledge, strengthened institutional frameworks, and sustained regional collaboration, the Caribbean is better positioned to confront climate challenges head-on and pave the way toward a sustainable future for generations to come.
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About the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).
The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre is an intergovernmental organisation established by the Heads of Governments of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to coordinate the region’s response to managing and adapting to climate change. The CCCCC also serves as a delivery partner for climate finance for the region, a repository for regional climate change information and data provider of climate change-related policy advice and guidelines to the CARICOM Member States.
