Groundbreaking Initiative for Conservation

2026-02-28 - 00:04

& Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NASSAU , THE BAHAMAS – The fight to combat climate change is a crucial discussion in both the public and private sector. In this report our Denielle Miller told us how the two entities have collaborator to empower local NGO’S and communities groups giving them access to millions of dollars. Denielle Miller “The Office of the Prime Minister establishing an initiative for NGO’s focused on conservation. The program providing both training and thousands of dollars in grants” One hundred and twenty four million is the actual amount allotted for the marine conservation program. The program was established through The Bahamas Debt Conversion Project. Launched in November of 2024, The Bahamas Debt Conversion Project is a collaboration between the government of The Bahamas, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Standard Chartered Bank, and other international partners. The Director of Climate Change & Environmental Advisory Unit at Office of the Prime Minister, Rochelle Newbold ,explained that the partnership is an avenue for the government to settle an outstanding debt. Rochelle Newbold – Director of Climate Change & Environmental Advisory Unit, OPM “Rather than paying back to those persons we got the loan from one hundred and twenty four million, they’ve agreed to allow us to use that money to enhance our marine environment through various project activities” She says the agreement has a fifteen year timeline and according to an official press release by Bahamas Information Services, it includes a guaranteed minimum of 1.2 million dollars annually to support marine protection, climate adaptation, and sustainable livelihoods. It will do so through grants to non-governmental and community-based organizations. The Bahamas protected areas fund is responsible for managing this project as the designated conservation trust fund under the agreement. Executive Director for BPAF, Karen Panton, told us that this is a groundbreaking initiative. Karen Panton – Executive Director, BPAF “It is the largest most significant amount of money that has ever been set aside by The Bahamas Government for any kind of conservation work in country” Earlier this month. a total of $399,242.00 was distributed at the British Colonial Hilton to nine organization. This was the first group to receive the grant under the program. Panton said the project is not just about giving NGO’s money but also equipping them with the training needed to access assistance in global markets. Karen Panton – Executive Director, BPAF “There’s only a small of amount of funding in The Bahamas, but can you imagine if you’ve got a hundred, two hundred, three hundred NGO’s and community groups who are equipped then we can ensure that we’ve got a greater path and a greater amount of potential possibilities of meeting that two hundred to three hundred million a year that’s needed for climate resilience in protected areas and conservation across our islands “