CALL FOR BLUE ECONOMY PROJECTS

The Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator is issuing a call for Blue Economy projects seeking financing to be featured at its September 6th 2022, Investor Matchmaking Forum titled: The CCSA Investor Forum: Blue Economy in the Caribbean.

What is 

The Blue Economy?

According to the World Bank, the blue economy is the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.” Similarly the European Commission defines it as “all economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts. It covers a wide range of interlinked established and emerging sectors.” The sector is diverse and challenging as it involves understanding, managing and promoting oceanic sustainability, ecosystem health, conservation and preventing pollution in juxtaposition to the traditional use of the ocean for economic growth and livelihood creation. This is particularly difficult for island nations whose economies largely depend on ocean resources directly e.g. fisheries or indirectly e.g. tourism.

Is my project a Blue Economy Project?

Blue Economy projects can include: 
  • Tourism
  • Climate Change (mitigation & adaptation) 
  • Ridge to Reef impact
  • Coastal Protection
  • Waste Management 
  • Maritime Transport
  • Conservation with a livelihoods & jobs component
  • Fisheries
  • Ocean research and data collection
  • Ocean driven renewable energy e.g. of shore wind, solar and wave energy generation

Is there consideration for cross-cutting themes?

The following cross-cutting theme(s) should be considered: 
  • Post COVID19 recovery
  • Livelihood Generation
  • Gender and Social Inclusion
  • Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG)
  • Biodiversity Conservation
  • UN Sustainable Development Goals #14 – Life Below Water. 
What is the objective of

The call for projects?

One of the key mandates of Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA) is to help pair projects with motivated investors in order to accelerate the incubation process of climate-focused projects in the Caribbean. In furtherance of this mission, the CCSA is committed to hosting at least 3 virtual Investor Matchmaking Forum each year.

The forums are an ongoing series of investor/project matchmaking events which are convened with the purpose of highlighting various investment-ready projects to investors who could immediately consider them for investment. The event is live streamed and features a diverse and international panel of high-level speakers/investors meticulously curated to add value to the process.

This forum was designed to specifically address issues of climate vulnerability in the region by bringing together project owners and entrepreneurs with financiers, investors, donors and philanthropists, so that investors could learn first-hand about the types of investment-ready projects that are primed to move forward in the region, determine their investment interest, then meet with the project owners to take the discussion to the next level based on mutual interest. This call for projects is looking for regional investment ready Blue Economy projects to present at the Investor Matchmaking Forum scheduled for September 6th 2022

Who can submit projects?

Any independent project holder and/or  team, including but not limited to governments, universities, public or private sector entities.  

How do I submit a project?

To submit a project please visit the CCSA website here and complete the project submission form in its entity. All project costs must be submitted in United States Dollars.

How will the projects be evaluated?

Projects will be evaluated on stage of readiness, relevance, innovation, scalability, replicability, quality of the methodology, stakeholder support, investment type, committed investment, thoroughness of the business/project plan, as well as, the capacity of the individual/team to carry out the project. All projects will be evaluated internally by the CCSA. The selection process will have 2 distinct stages:

  • Stage 1: Project submission through portal and initial shortlisting
  • Stage 2: Detailed due diligence to shortlist proposals by the CCSA projects committee.

What is the deadline to submit projects?

THIS CALL FOR PROJECTS CLOSES ON COB AUGUST 22, 2022

Who do I contact if I have any questions or comments?