The European Union supports Wider Caribbean Cooperation through new € 1 million facility

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) - On 10 September 2024, CARIFORUM launched a new €1 million Technical Cooperation Facility to enhance cooperation in the Caribbean. The Regional Technical Cooperation Facility (RTCF) is part of the European Union’s larger (€6,925,000) 11^th EDF Wider Caribbean Cooperation Programme to support intra-CARIFORUM and Wider Cooperation, support to CARICOM/CARIFORUM/French Caribbean Outermost Regions (FCORs)/Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) cooperation and Intra CARIFORUM cooperation.

The launch of the Regional Technical Cooperation Facility took place at the Accra Beach Hotel and Spa in Barbados in the presence of the Director General of CARIFORUM, Ms. Alexis Downes-Amsterdam, Attorney-at-Law, Mr. David Mogollon, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Barbados and Ambassador Donna Forde, Director General of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados who delivered the feature remarks on behalf of Barbados the current Chair of CARIFORUM.

The Technical Cooperation Facility is designed to channel support in a flexible and timely manner to address issues hampering the successful implementation of the Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP) as it relates to Wider Caribbean Cooperation and Integration, for technical assistance and studies on specific and specialized subject areas and to facilitate post-Cotonou development and other relevant actions such as capacity building and technical cooperation actions in support Wider Caribbean integration and cooperation.

The Director General of CARIFORUM, Ms. Alexis Downes-Amsterdam highlighted that the launch of the Facility “is a celebration of partnership between the EU and the Caribbean which spans decades, has evolved over time but remains relevant. Notwithstanding the changes, it is a truism that the EU remains a reliable Caribbean development partner, whose support is important in the region’s efforts towards its sustainable and inclusive growth and development.”.

Ms. Alexis Downes-Amsterdam indicated that the launch of the Facility was taking place in the context of a CARIFORUM Consultation on a Framework for CARIFORUM FCORs/OCTs Dialogue, the first major regional activity under the Facility.  She expressed optimism that the Facility will meaningfully contribute to the strengthening and deepening of CARIFORUM/FCORs/OCTS dialogue and cooperation to address common challenges and capitalize on the opportunities.

Mr. David Mogollon, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Barbados pointed out that the EU remains committed to strengthening cooperation and integration in the region and to working with CARIFORUM to address common challenges brought on by covid-19, climate change and the economic crises.  Mr. Mogollon noted that, “technical cooperation and integration is fundamental to development in the region.” 

Ambassador Donna Forde, Director General of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados extended appreciation to the EU for the new Facility and for its continued support and partnership to assist the region to address challenges, noting that “the Facility is positioning the region to strengthen integration and cooperation, the EU must be lauded for providing this assistance.” Notably, the Facility will provide support for negotiations for associate membership in CARICOM.

The Technical Cooperation Facility is being implemented jointly by the CARIFORUM Directorate and the EU. Implementation commenced on 24 February 2023 and will last for a period of thirty-six (36) months.