Earth Today | EFJ’s new call for proposals aims to strengthen climate response

CLIMATE CHANGE is here to stay, we know. How is it impacting the way Jamaicans live day today, particularly those in rural areas? What challenges are people encountering? How can Jamaica build resilience, so that communities are strong enough to "bounce back" from flood, drought and storm events? How can we adapt and adjust to the unpredictability of the seasons?

The Environmental Foun-dation of Jamaica (EFJ) is seeking answers to these questions, as it distributes its 2018 Call for Proposals under the Special Climate Change Adaptation Fund.

This is taking place in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, with funding to the tune of US$1.4 million provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under the Adaptation Programme and Financing Mechanism for the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience Jamaica for climate-smart initiatives.

"We are pleased to open our third Call for Proposals. The first two Calls (in 2016 and 2017) received great support in specific areas. This Call aims, to some extent, to address those areas. We also hope to reach parishes that have not received significant support, while holding true to the purpose of the funds and allowing the various entities to bring forward their project ideas. We want to reach every corner of Jamaica," said EFJ Chief Executive Officer Barrington Lewis.

OFFERING GRANTS

Proposals are invited in the areas of soil conservation/flood prevention; agriculture, including agroforestry, urban farming, waste management and climate-resilient crops; community water management systems; climate-smart buildings/facilities; and innovative climate change adaptation techniques, mecha-nisms and services.

The EFJ is offering grants of up to J$5 million each to community-based organisations, non-governmental organisations and other civil-society groups, legally registered in Jamaica as a non-profit entity, a cooperative or a society.

Selected public-sector agencies with clearly defined high-priority activities can also benefit. Public-sector entities must be working at the community level implementing projects that seek to enhance their own capacities and/or the capacities of related communities.

In recognition of the particular challenges they face, the EFJ will give special consideration to women's groups and vulnerable groups.

Proposals must be signed and submitted to the EFJ office at 1B Norwood Avenue, Kingston, or by email at grants@efj.org.jm, no later than 3:30 p.m. on Friday, June 29.