Climate Action Barbados Project #67584

Building a Climate-Smart Zone Together

by Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator Inc.

Project Report | Mar 15, 2026
Accelerating Progress for a Climate-Smart Future

By Tiffany Bryan | Chief of Staff

Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator Inc. (CCSA) continues to advance its mission of mobilising climate finance and accelerating climate-smart development across the region. By working to strengthen the pipeline of investable solutions, improving access to climate data, and convening key stakeholders, CCSA is helping to unlock new opportunities for climate innovation and resilience throughout the Caribbean.

At the heart of the CCSA’s work is a commitment to supporting low-carbon development, entrepreneurship, and sustainable solutions that strengthen communities across the Blue, Green, and Red Economies. Through this approach, the organisation contributes to economic growth while supporting climate resilience in sectors that are critical to the region’s future.

CCSA’s work is grounded in three core approaches that help translate climate ambition into practical action across the Caribbean:

Relationship building and advocacy - we cultivate trusted partnerships and champion Caribbean priorities to influence policy, strengthen collaboration, and elevate regional voices in global climate decision-making.
Matchmaking and grant making - we connect promising climate innovators with funding, partners, and targeted grants to accelerate the development of scalable solutions.
Regional capacity building - we strengthen regional institutions and leaders with the skills, tools, and networks needed to design, implement, and scale climate-smart initiatives.

Through these approaches, CCSA has developed several key platforms that help mobilise climate finance and strengthen the region’s climate innovation ecosystem.

Preparing Climate Entrepreneurs Today for a Sustainable Caribbean Tomorrow

The Innovation Fund Caribbean continues to play a critical role in developing the next generation of climate entrepreneurs across the region, supporting ventures advancing solutions in climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and other climate-driven sectors.

Since the last report, a major milestone was achieved with the graduation of the first cohort from the Project Preparation Facility in December 2025, delivered in partnership with RevUP Caribbean. The programme culminated in a graduation retreat hosted by the Development Bank of Jamaica, where participating entrepreneurs engaged in a regional pitch competition and took part in deep-dive sessions on venture growth, investment readiness, and angel investment. These engagements connected founders with experienced entrepreneurs and investors while strengthening their readiness to attract capital.

Through catalytic grants, technical mentorship, and access to regional networks, the Innovation Fund helps entrepreneurs refine their solutions, strengthen business models, and position climate-focused ventures for future investment and scale.

Building on the momentum of the first cohort, CCSA has now launched Cohort 2 the Project Preparation Facility of the Innovation Fund Caribbean, further expanding the pipeline of climate innovations emerging from the region. The second cohort includes six high-potential ventures operating across the blue, green, and circular economy sectors. As with the first cohort, each entrepreneur confirmed their commitment through a refundable deposit and received a US$750 scholarship, ensuring equitable access to the programme while supporting the development of investable climate solutions.

By supporting innovators at a critical early stage, the Innovation Fund Caribbean continues to strengthen the region’s climate innovation ecosystem while helping to develop ventures capable of delivering both environmental impact and economic opportunity.

Connecting Regional Stakeholders to Climate-Driven Data

Access to reliable and accessible data is essential for effective climate planning and investment. The Climate Smart Map was developed to serve as a regional platform that visualizes climate initiatives, datasets, and investment opportunities across the Caribbean.

Since the last update, the platform has continued to expand its reach and utility, growing by more than 3,000 new users over the past year. CCSA has also advanced the platform’s capabilities by expanding data partnerships and improving functionality, strengthening its value as a decision-support tool for governments, investors, and development partners.

By providing a clearer view of climate activities and risks across the region, the Climate Smart Map supports more informed planning, enhances coordination across initiatives, and helps stakeholders identify opportunities for collaboration and investment within the Caribbean climate ecosystem.

Curating Climate Projects for Regional Investment

Through its engagement with the GFANZ Caribbean Chapter, CCSA continues to strengthen the region’s climate finance pipeline by connecting climate initiatives with financial institutions seeking credible investment opportunities.

Since the Chapter’s establishment, two regional convenings have been hosted, bringing together financial institutions, development partners, and regional stakeholders to advance dialogue on climate investment and project development. These convenings have created important opportunities to align regional climate priorities with global capital seeking net-zero and resilience-aligned investments.

By facilitating collaboration between project developers and financial partners, CCSA is helping to curate a pipeline of climate initiatives capable of attracting climate-aligned capital and delivering long-term impact across the Caribbean.

Advancing Climate Innovation and Resilience

In addition to these core enablers, CCSA continues to support initiatives that strengthen regional climate innovation and generate insights that inform future investment and policy decisions.

Climate-Smart Agriculture - CCSA’s Climate Smart Agriculture initiative continues to explore practical approaches to improving resilience, productivity, and food security within the region’s agricultural systems. The first pilot programme has now reached its final phase, with the technical report currently being finalized. The findings will capture key lessons on the implementation and effectiveness of climate-smart agricultural practices and will help inform future resilience strategies across Caribbean agricultural systems.Building on the insights from the first phase, the second pilot is now underway, with three participating pilot countries successfully onboarded, including one small-scale commercial pilot designed to test scalable climate-smart production models. These pilots are generating valuable insights into how climate-smart techniques can support sustainable farming systems while strengthening local food production and resilience.

Convening Regional Energy Stakeholders - CCSA also plays an important role in facilitating regional dialogue on energy transition and climate innovation. These convenings bring together regional and international stakeholders to coordinate efforts aimed at advancing energy transition initiatives and identifying new investment opportunities. These platforms help align stakeholders around shared priorities while supporting collaboration that can accelerate the development of climate solutions in the region’s energy sector.

Continuing to Advance a Climate-Smart Caribbean

Across these initiatives, CCSA continues to help shape the enabling environment necessary for climate innovation, investment, and resilience to flourish in the Caribbean. Join us in transforming the Caribbean by supporting our achievements.

By supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening data systems, mobilising finance, and convening key partners, the organisation is helping to build a pipeline of solutions capable of addressing the region’s climate challenges while unlocking new opportunities for sustainable economic development.

As this work continues to evolve, CCSA remains committed to advancing practical, scalable solutions that contribute to a resilient, climate-smart Caribbean.

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Nov 20, 2025
Uniting for a Climate-Smart Future

By Cheryl Senhouse | Finance Innovation Director

Thanks to the momentum from early 2025 and your steadfast support, we are driving meaningful gains in strengthening the region’s climate resilience. We remain profoundly appreciative of your partnership as we advance high-impact initiatives that protect our communities, ecosystems, and economies from rising climate risks. Your continued engagement makes this progress possible. As we advance our shared vision for a climate-smart Caribbean, we’re pleased to provide an update on our recent activities, many of which have been made possible through the generous support of the donor community. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey.

Growing Resilience: Advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture Across the Caribbean

This quarter marked a new phase of growth and recognition for CCSA’s Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) project. With installations completed for Pilot 2 across Bermuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Kitts and Nevis, the programme is now demonstrating tangible results in strengthening food security and climate resilience.
Between May and September, participating countries harvested over 700 heads of produce, showcasing the real-time impact of hydroponic innovation in local contexts.
In St. Kitts and Nevis, the new unit was featured during the Global Sustainable Islands Summit in May, where it served as a live demonstration of the programme’s promise to deliver practical, scalable solutions.
With support from our partners, the CSA programme is not only producing food but also building skills, strengthening community resilience, and creating new pathways for climate-smart innovation.

Powering Early-Stage Ventures with Catalytic Support

CCSA’s Innovation Fund shifted from vision to execution, driving tangible momentum in advancing Caribbean-led climate solutions. In August, the Innovation Fund launched its first Project Preparation Facility cohort, advancing eight high-potential ventures across the blue economy, green economy, and circular economy sectors.
Each entrepreneur confirmed their commitment through a refundable deposit and received a scholarship valued at US$750 to ensure equitable access to the programme.
Delivered in partnership with RevUP Caribbean and the Caribbean Development Bank, the preparation programme spans four months of intensive engagement. Entrepreneurs meet twice per week for structured sessions, receive dedicated mentor support, and complete targeted assignments to strengthen their business models, financial structures, and market strategies.
To further enhance this ecosystem, CCSA signed an MOU with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC), enabling pro bono financial services from a network of Accountants across the region.
Corporate engagement for Innovation Fund Caribbean is also gaining momentum. Funding proposals are currently being considered by regional companies, paving the way for sponsorships and long-term partnerships.
This layered approach, combining donor support, corporate backing, and technical expertise, ensures the Fund not only accelerates project readiness but also builds a stronger, more connected innovation ecosystem for the Caribbean.

Enhancing Data-Driven Decision Support in the Climate-Smart Map

With support from our data partners, we are advancing the Climate Smart Map’s technical development by increasing data granularity, integrating new geospatial and socioeconomic layers, and sharpening analytical capabilities.
These enhancements strengthen the platform as a decision-support tool, enabling more precise risk assessments, investment planning, and policy design. The expanded data infrastructure now drives targeted, evidence-based reporting that fuels innovation, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth across the Caribbean’s climate-smart zone.

Advocacy for Financial Innovation

In March 2025, a major step forward for climate finance in the Caribbean was realized with the official launch of the GFANZ Caribbean Chapter. CCSA played a key role in supporting the development of the chapter. From early coordination to shaping the regional focus, CCSA helped ensure the chapter’s design reflected the Caribbean’s unique financing needs and opportunities.
CCSA CEO Racquel Moses was appointed Chair of the GFANZ Caribbean Chapter’s Consultative Group, underscoring CCSA’s trusted position as a regional convenor and bridge-builder between sectors.
CCSA subsequently signed a grant agreement with Bloomberg Philanthropies for funding to enable the establishment of the Secretariat for the Caribbean Chapter.
A critical enabler of this grant was the organization’s successful Equivalency Determination Certification, achieved in July, which affirms CCSA’s status as equivalent to a U.S. public charity through March 2027. This milestone strengthens donor confidence and opens access to a wider pool of U.S.-based philanthropic support.
CCSA continues to strengthen its voice and role in the global climate dialogue, by positioning itself to foster collaboration tailored to Caribbean-specific needs. Through our participation in the many events around New York Climate Week 2025, CCSA emphasised that a focus on Caribbean-themed fellowships and programs ensures that advocacy and climate solutions are contextually relevant, building local expertise and resilience.
Dovetailing with participation in Climate Week New York 2025 was the launch of the InterAmerican Development Bank’s (IDB) REINVEST+ initiative. This provides the opportunity for participation by regional financial institutions in selling performing assets in climate and resilience to IBD for packaging as investment grade securities. This program frees up space on balance sheets providing the opportunity for banks to reinvest in areas aligned with NDCs.
CCSA will focus on socialisation of REINVEST+ with members of GFANZ Caribbean Chapter Consultative Group to support uptake that unlocks additional capital for adaptation and mitigation
CCSA nominated a winner of the 2025 Earthshot Prize award in the Protect and Restore Nature category! This recognition is not just a milestone for the CCSA but a reflection of the collective belief that drives all of our work, that climate innovation from our regions can compete and win on the world stage.
Our nominee, re.green, is transforming the way the world views nature, not as something to be sacrificed for progress, but as essential infrastructure for our future. Operating across four Brazilian states, re.green’s approach to restoring the Atlantic Forest and the Amazon combines AI, drones, and ecological intelligence to identify and restore land with the greatest potential for regeneration.
re.green has planted over six million seedlings, created more than 230 jobs, and trained nearly 300 people, while partnering with leading global investors like Nestlé, Microsoft, Agro Penido, and BNDES. With an ambition to restore one million hectares and capture 15 million tonnes of CO each year, they are proving that protecting nature can be both profitable and profoundly impactful.

Looking Ahead

Join us in shaping a brighter future for the Caribbean by helping us achieve our final goal of $15,000. Your support will:

ignite transformative, data-driven tools that empower smarter decision-making across the region.
drive innovative farming initiatives that strengthen communities, enhance food security, and build lasting climate resilience.
champion forward-thinking financial solutions that meet the Caribbean’s unique needs and unlock new opportunities.

Together, we can create a thriving, resilient Caribbean one bold step at a time. Let’s harness our shared commitment to build a stronger, more sustainable future. Help turn climate-smart solutions into action today!

Links:

CCSA Signs MOU with ICAC

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Jul 27, 2025
Collective Action for Building a Climate-Smart Zone

By Cheryl Senhouse | Finance Innovation Director

As we move forward in our shared mission to create a climate-smart Caribbean, we are proud to share the next chapter in our journey. Building on the momentum of the first quarter of 2025, the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA) continues to make meaningful progress in strengthening the region’s climate resilience. Thanks to your ongoing support, we are advancing impactful initiatives that safeguard our communities, ecosystems, and economies from the growing threats of climate change.

Growing Resilience: Advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture Across the Caribbean

Our Climate-Smart Agriculture initiative made strong progress, moving from planning to implementation. Hydroponic units were installed across four Caribbean countries, local partners were actively engaged, and a regional onboarding session brought participants together to begin planting—marking a key transition from setup to cultivation. What began as a pilot is now producing food, building skills, and making an impact in schools, community centers, and farms throughout the region.
Each country is now tailoring the program to meet local needs. In some areas, it’s being integrated into broader initiatives around community resilience and education, while others are using early data to inform future scaling. Newly joined countries are preparing for training sessions to extend the initiative’s reach, and additional regional engagement signals growing interest in expansion.
Overall, the initiative is helping to enhance food security, create learning opportunities, and strengthen local resilience. Each new hydroponic unit reflects a shared commitment to a more sustainable, climate-smart future for the Caribbean.

Powering Early-Stage Ventures with Catalytic Support

CCSA’s Innovation Fund moved from vision to execution, building real momentum in its mission to support Caribbean-led climate solutions.
This quarter, seven high-potential ventures were awarded scholarships through the Project Preparation Facility. These projects were selected based on their potential to drive measurable climate impact, create local economic opportunities, and scale across island contexts.
Selected project proponents will participate in a five-month programme designed to strengthen their technical foundation, sharpen their business models, and improve their ability to attract capital. Each venture will receive dedicated support tailored to its stage of development, including guidance on structuring investment, refining impact metrics, and engaging with funders.

Enhancing Data-Driven Decision Support in the Climate-Smart Map

With the support of our data partners, CCSA continues the technical development of the Climate Smart Map by enhancing data granularity, integrating new geospatial and socioeconomic datasets, and refining analytical capabilities.
This ongoing work strengthens the platform’s utility as a decision-support tool, enabling more precise risk assessments, investment planning, and policy formulation.
The enriched data infrastructure underpins the production of targeted, evidence-based reports that support innovation, climate resilience, and sustainable economic development across the Caribbean’s climate-smart zone.

Advocacy for Financial Innovation

In March 2025, a major step forward for climate finance in the Caribbean was realized with the official launch of the GFANZ Caribbean Chapter. Announced at the Sustainable Energy for All Global Forum in Barbados, the new chapter brings together leading financial institutions and development partners to support regional alignment with net-zero goals and increase climate-aligned investment.
CCSA played a key role in supporting the development of the chapter. From early coordination to shaping the regional focus, CCSA helped ensure the chapter’s design reflected the Caribbean’s unique financing needs and opportunities. CEO Racquel Moses was appointed Chair of the GFANZ Caribbean Chapter’s Consultative Group, underscoring CCSA’s trusted position as a regional convenor and bridge-builder between sectors.
CCSA is helping to shape one of the Caribbean’s most promising conservation finance strategies by promoting the use of sustainable and green financial instruments by sovereigns
This effort aims to unlock new capital for marine protection and climate adaptation across the region.
CCSA delivered technical sessions during the Caribbean NDC Finance Investment Forum in Grenada and the Global Sustainable Island Summit 2025 in St. Kitts and Nevis, socialising regional stakeholders to advance understanding of debt-for-nature strategies.
Across each of these forums, CCSA served as both a technical resource and convener, sharing insights, scoping financing models, and facilitating high-level engagement with country representatives and development finance institutions.

Looking Ahead

Join us in transforming the Caribbean’s future by supporting the achievement of our remaining goal of $14,768. Your investment will:

fuel vital data-driven tools for decision making
enable innovative farming projects that empower communities, boost food security, and build lasting climate resilience across the region.
supports our advocacy for the development of innovative and relevant financial solutions for the Caribbean

Together, we can drive sustainable growth and protect our islands from climate risks — help us make climate-smart solutions a reality today!

Links:

CCSA's Climate Smart Map

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