Jamaica joins regional effort to support women in climate projects

Jamaica is among eight Caribbean countries to join a Gender Smart Facility led by the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) and Global Affairs Canada to transform how climate finance reaches women and vulnerable communities.

Unlike traditional climate funding, this CA$4 million ($458 million) initiative embeds gender analysis at every stage of project development – from community consultation to implementation and monitoring. This approach addresses the unique vulnerabilities women face in Small Island Developing States, including disrupted livelihoods in fishing and farming and heightened risks during hurricanes and floods.

“This unprecedented regional collaboration demonstrates CBF’s leadership in ensuring climate action reaches those who need it most,” said Nayari Diaz, CORE Project Lead. “We’re creating a new standard for how climate finance works in small island states – one that recognises women as essential partners in building resilient communities.”

The National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica is part of the regional network of National Conservation Trust Funds participating in the facility, which aims to systematically integrate gender-responsive approaches into nature-based climate solutions. The facility was launched through CBF’s Caribbean Organisations for a Resilient Environment (CORE) project. The seven other CORE countries to benefit through their respective conservation trust funds include Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.

“Women often bear disproportionate impacts from environmental degradation, yet they’re frequently excluded from climate decision-making,” said Cordia Chambers-Johnson, CORE Project Gender Specialist. “This facility changes that dynamic by putting women at the centre of ecosystem-based solutions.”

Projects supported by the facility will include community-led mangrove restoration, sustainable agriculture training for women farmers, climate-resilient coastal infrastructure, and initiatives that strengthen women’s leadership in disaster preparedness.

The Gender Smart Facility operates within the broader CA$8 million CORE project, funded through Canada’s commitment to advancing gender equality and climate action in Small Island Developing States. Additional co-financing from CBF brings the total investment to CA$13.3 million.

“Canada is proud to partner with CBF on this innovative approach to climate resilience,” said Shehryar Sarwar, counsellor and head of development cooperation at the High Commission of Canada.