Programme
Overview
Country Assistance Programmes
A Country Assistance Programme consists of the portfolio of active projects that have been approved and are supported by the CDF through Loan or Grant Agreements. These projects are tailored to the specific needs of each Member State, addressing major barriers to social and economic cohesion such as infrastructure development, SME competitiveness, energy security, and vulnerability to natural disasters. The CAP ensures that the CDF’s interventions are aligned with national development priorities and sustainable growth objectives.
Through the CAP, the CDF enhances the impact of its support by providing a comprehensive package that includes:
- Financial Resources: Grants or loans designed to fund the implementation of key projects and initiatives.
- Technical Assistance: Expertise, capacity building, and knowledge sharing to ensure the successful execution and sustainability of projects.
COUNTRY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES - OVERVIEW OF PORTFOLIO BY THEMATIC PRIORITIES & PLANNED RESULTS
Business Development and Enterprise Competitiveness (Cycles 1-2) & Human Capacity Development and Enterprise Competitiveness (Cycle 3)
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (Cycles 1-2) & Environmental Resilience and Climate Action (Cycle 3)
Infrastructure (Cycles 1–3)
Agriculture Transformation (Cycle 3)
Community Empowerment (Cycle 3)
Eligibility Criteria for Country Assistance Programmes
The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) supports projects and initiatives that align with its mandate, thematic priorities, and the development goals of its Member States. To ensure the effective use of resources, eligibility for funding is determined based on the alignment of funding requests with these priorities.
To qualify for CDF support, a project must align with:
- CDF’s Mandate: Projects must contribute to the Fund’s core objective of reducing economic disparities and promoting sustainable development within CARICOM Member States.
- Member States’ Development Priorities: Projects must be consistent with the national development agenda and strategic goals of the requesting Member State.
- Thematic Priorities for the Programming Cycle: The CDF has specific thematic priorities for each programming cycle, and projects must fit within these areas to be considered for support.
Types of financial assistance provided by the CDF
The CDF provides financial assistance in two primary forms: loans and grants.
The type of financial support offered to a project is determined during negotiations between the National Focal Point (NFP), the Executing Agency (EA), and the CDF. This negotiation process ensures that the financial support aligns with the specific requirements and sustainability objectives of the project.
The CDF also provides technical assistance to Member States to address project management capacity deficits across the project management cycle – from research required for evidence-based project initiation and design to support with the preparation of Project Completion Reports. CDF may also commission technical experts to assist Member States with:
- Conducting feasibility studies and background research
- Environmental, social, gender, and climate vulnerability assessments and management/action plans
- Stakeholder engagement
- Technical support to ensure compliance with CDF’s policies and project management best practices related to results-based management, stakeholder engagement, and integrating gender, social inclusion, environment and climate change considerations across the project cycle.
CDF Programme Cycle and Project Management
The CDF’s approach to managing Country Assistance Programmes (CAPs) and related projects follows a structured process outlined in the CDF Programming Manual. This document provides detailed guidance on the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of CDF-supported projects to maximise CDF’s development impact.
