The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), through its Multilateral Investment Fund, Natural Capital Lab, and Sustainable Islands Platform, and the multi-donor Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, is looking to provide support to pilot and scale commercial models rooted in cutting-edge technologies that contribute to the sustainable management of oceans and coastal resources (or marine ecosystems) as the basis for livelihoods, food security and economic development of the Caribbean region.
Entities from the 48 member countries of the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDBG) are invited to participate in the challenge. Those Compete Caribbean beneficiary countries, which are non-IDB members, will also be included: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These entities include innovators, entrepreneurs, NGOs, businesses, academic institutions, research institutions, social enterprises, public innovation agencies, and similar entities and must have demonstrated expertise in developing and applying innovative and cutting-edge technologies to ensure the sustainable management of oceans as the basis for livelihoods, food security and economic development.
Proponent entities not located in one of the 14 target countries will only be considered if in partnership with local or regional organizations registered to carry out the project activities in one of the 14 target countries.
The Blue Tech Challenge seeks to support business models that apply new technologies to deliver products and/or solutions in: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Benefits
- Qualifying entities will be considered by IDB to implement a development project to pilot the blue economy model in one of the 14 target countries.
- The funding requests should be within a range of US$150,000 to US$500,000 for non-reimbursable technical assistance (grants).
- Proposals for loans should be within a range of US$500,000 to US$2,000,000.
- Note that the proponent entity should contribute with at least 50% of the project budget. For details see Guidelines.
- Qualifying entities will also become part of the IDB Group’s network of global innovators working in the Caribbean region poised to exchange knowledge, expertise, best practices, and with ample opportunities to participate in IDBG’s related regional networking events.
Eligibilities
- Requirement 1: Proponent entity should be located in one of IDB’s 48 member-countries or in those Compete Caribbean beneficiary countries which are non-IDB members: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. If the proponent entity is not located in one of the 14 target countries, it should present a proposal in partnership with an entity located and legally registered in one of the 14 target countries in the Caribbean region: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Project impact must target one of these 14 countries in the Caribbean.
- Requirement 2: Proposed business model should have the following characteristics: a) focused on cutting-edge technology that contributes to the sustainable use or management of oceans, coastal resources and/or marine ecosystems); b) aimed at enhancing the livelihoods, food security, and economic development of the Caribbean region’s population.
Models that target beneficiaries who are traditionally excluded groups or communities (i.e., women, indigenous and/or low-income populations) are highly encouraged. - Requirement 3: Commercial viability of proposed business model. Provide clear analysis of project viability and indication of how revenue will be generated over the life of the project and beyond (after IDB funding is utilized).
- Requirement 4: Proponent entity should provide written proof of counterpart resources to implement their model (IDB would provide matching funding, approximately 40-50% of the proposed project budget).
- Requirement 5: Proponent entity should provide documents certifying its legal constitution/incorporation.
Application Process
Apply online through the given link.
Application Deadline: November 30, 2018
Application ClosedOfficial link
