Impact Stories- Special Development Fund

SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

Our Chance To Transform Lives

WHO WE ARE

The Special Development Fund (SDF) is the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) largest pool of concessionary funds which are primarily used to address poverty and human development challenges throughout the Caribbean Region. Contributions to the Fund come from all member countries of CDB, as well as non-members. Throughout its lifetime, the Fund has facilitated over $2.1 billion in cumulative development financing for the Caribbean.

The SDF has a four-year replenishment cycle. The Bank is currently nearing the end of the 10th cycle, which is a $383mn programme, that commenced on January 1, 2021 and ends on December 31, 2024. Planning for the 11th cycle is underway, with formal negotiations set for 2024 and implementation expected to span from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028. www.caribank.org

WHAT WE DO

Each cycle, contributors to the Fund and the Bank agree on priority issues to be addressed. Our operational strategy focuses on enhancing socio-economic and environmental resilience. This is achieved by addressing critical areas including: WATER SECURITY

POVERTY REDUCTION

CAPACITY BUILDING

CLIMATE RESILIENCE

EDUCATION

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

INFRASTRUCTURE

GENDER EQUALITY

ENERGY SECURITY

AGRICULTURE & FOOD SAFETY

Since its inception, the SDF has facilitated over $2.1 billion in development financing for the Caribbean.

OUR IMPACT Since 1984, the SDF has provided over

$2.1 billion

in loans and grants to address the region’s poverty and social development challenges.

Over the past 10 years, the SDF has trained and certified

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FACILITY PROJECT Constriction of Early Childhood Centre of Excellence (ECCE)

almost 8,850

teachers

LOCATION: University of Guyana, Region #4, Guyana

across the Caribbean.

Approximately

$106.4 million in SDF loans was committed to support CDB’s Borrowing Member Countries with COVID-19 response.

Between 2013-2022, over

94,000 households benefitted from improved access to water and sanitation services thanks to the SDF.

SDF IMPACT STORIES

In Guyana, the SDF has facilitated a range of initiatives, addressing critical needs from infrastructure and education to climate resilience, community development and poverty. Together, these efforts contribute to national advancement and the prosperity of Guyanese communities, demonstrating the SDF's dedication to promoting progress and reducing vulnerabilities within the Caribbean. Let's examine four of these impactful projects in detail.

www.caribank.org

INVESTMENT: US$665,000 IMPLEMENTING ENTITY: BNTF Implementing Agency

Addressing the gap in practical and demonstrative exposure for Early Childhood Development received by students and lecturers at the University of Guyana, the SDF facilitated the construction of an Early Childhood Centre of Excellence at the University. Previously, students relied on Municipal Day Care Services for practical training, which did not meet the standards set by Guyana’s Childcare and Development Services Act of 2016.

The new facility spans approximately 708 square meters, offering specialised classrooms for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and nursery school children. The Centre also has a dedicated space for children with special education needs (SEN) and integrates SEN students into broader programmes. The two-story building includes a conference room, observation room, sleeping area, offices, sanitary facilities, a kitchenette, laundry room, and spaces for research and development in early childhood education.

Furniture and outdoor equipment were provided by UNICEF. Other collaborators and supporters include the University of Guyana, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, International Association of Laboratory Schools, University of the West Indies, Mona and Syracuse University.

Implemented over 18 months, the project now benefits 129 children up to five years old, 38 of whom are SEN students. Research and knowledge-gathering from the Centre is already significantly informing Early Childhood Development practice and policy in Guyana.

SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT Chance To FUND Our Transform Lives

THE MON REPOS PROCESSING AND PACKAGING FACILITY PROJECT Processing and Packaging Facility Construction & Training Programme LOCATION: Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, Region #4, Guyana

INVESTMENT: US$665,000 IMPLEMENTING ENTITY: BNTF Implementing Agency

The facility aims to address the challenge of food spoilage and wastage exacerbated by climate change and fluctuating market demands. In 2016, approximately 30% of local fruits and vegetables in the country were lost before reaching consumers, adversely impacting farmers' income and livelihoods.

Key project activities included design and construction of the building, supply and installation of equipment for continuous production lines of passion fruit, pepper pulp, and herbal tea, and extensive training for beneficiaries in good agricultural practices and post-harvest loss mitigation.

This investment in infrastructure and human capital is anticipated to increase incomes, food security, and sustainable livelihood development, along with expanding the export potential of small-scale farmers. It will benefit the communities of Ithaca, Buxton/Friendship, Beterverwagting/Triumph, and Mocha.

The Mon Repos Processing and Packaging Facility project is actively enhancing the agro-processing capabilities of small farmers in Guyana. The intervention involved the construction of a modern agro-processing and packaging facility and the training and capacity-building for over 90 rural farmers.

SEA & RIVER DEFENCE RESILIENCE PROJECT LOCATION: Lot 2 - Crane/Harlem/Rotterdam/Mary, West Coast Demerara, Region #3, Guyana

INVESTMENT: US$5,155,595 IMPLEMENTING ENTITY: Ministry of Public Works, Guyana

This initiative is impacting several areas of focus for CDB including sustainable development, climate change resilience, capacity building, and poverty reduction. The project's success is a testimony to the power of partnerships as outcomes were achieved through collaboration between the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, CDB and the Guyana School of Agriculture.

Strengthening coastal and riverine infrastructures is crucial for safeguarding vulnerable communities and essential economic sectors from the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. Lot 2 of the Sea and River Defence Resilience Project allowed for the reconstruction of coastal flood defence structures along the communities of Crane, Harlem, Rotterdam, and Mary on the West Coast Demerara shoreline, where over 4,000 persons reside.

Lot 2 of the project addressed the need for climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce flood risks to residential areas, agricultural lands, and crucial public and private infrastructure. Lot 2 involves the construction of 1.2 km long rock armour revetment structures. These structures are designed to absorb the energy from waves and provide stability in areas with soft underlying clay. As a result, the communities benefitted from enhanced resilience against coastal flooding and the protection of infrastructure related to the country’s Gas-to-Energy project.

SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT Chance To FUND Our Transform Lives

www.caribank.org

GUYANA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYABILITY PROJECT Expansion & Rehabilitation of the Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre LOCATION: Fellowship, West Coast Demerara, Region #3, Guyana.

INVESTMENT: US$1,236,811 IMPLEMENTING ENTITY: Project Coordination Unit, Ministry of Education

To achieve this, the project involved the construction of a Learning Resource Centre, with specialised workshops, a sanitary block, including changing rooms, and the rehabilitation of existing facilities.

New tools and equipment were provided for each workshop, and the institution's security was bolstered with the installation of a new perimeter fence. The project scope also included the addition of a parking area, and an upgrade of existing sanitation facilities, including provisions for persons with disabilities.

Through the Ministry of Education, the Government of Guyana, is now able to offer Caribbean Vocational Qualifications Level 1 programmes at the Centre in Commercial Food Preparation, Masonry, and Plumbing. The additions expanded the curriculum which previously comprised Furniture Making and Electrical Installation.

The Guyana Skills Development & Employability Project was designed to enhance the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) environment of the Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre to address unemployability of a population of 400 students.

Overall, the enhancements are benefiting students, some of whom are early school leavers, principals, teachers, workshop assistants and members of surrounding communities. The upgrades have created a more conducive learning environment and are directly addressing the issue of expanding the supply of skilled and employable labour with regionally acceptable certification by equipping students with relevant skills for the workforce. The Centre will eventually offer evening programmes as part of lifelong learning initiative, ensuring broader access to demand-driven TVET and taking a substantial step towards reducing unemployment in the region.

Join Us in Shaping a Sustainable Future As the SDF embarks on its 11th Replenishment phase, we stand at a critical juncture to further amplify our impact across the Caribbean. The upcoming replenishment offers an unparalleled opportunity for us to deepen our commitment and extend our reach.

SDF contributions fund initiatives that ignite transformation and propel sustainable development across the Caribbean! Through collaboration, we can magnify our impact and foster enduring change.

Partner with us and be a catalyst for progress!

The time to act is now! It’s Our Chance to Transform Lives!

Learn more at: www.caribank.org

SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT Chance To FUND Our Transform Lives