Links of Interest

Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean Phase II

ECPA                    

 

Participating Countries: All OAS Member States in Central America and the Caribbean

Financing: U.S. Department of State

Context: The cities of the Americas are experiencing dramatic and accelerating changes. Rapid urbanization poses serious challenges in terms of infrastructure and housing, common spaces and sustainable transportation, the prevention and correction of pollution, the disposal of industrial and electronic waste, the promotion of pollution free consumption habits, and the management of sustainable technologies. The imperative of building sustainable cities and communities in the hemisphere was first acknowledged during the First Summit on Sustainable Development in the Americas held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra in December 1996. In this context, a Plan of Action was released as one of the main outputs of this Summit. Since that time the Department of Sustainable Development of the Organization of American States (OAS-DSD) has been working with member states in four areas under the sustainable cities theme: economic development, housing, pollution prevention and environmental protection, and sustainable transport. Within this framework, Phase I of the Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean Project was implemented by the OAS in 2012-2014 with the support of the U.S. Permanent Mission to the OAS funding 14 US$50,000 demonstration projects submitted by non-governmental organizations from 10 countries in Central America and the Caribbean

Objective: Phase II of the OAS Sustainable Communities project will strengthen the capacity of NGOs, government agencies and community associations in Central America and the Caribbean to build sustainable communities in the context of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) though Public Private Partnerships.

Description: Through the support of the U.S. Department of State, the DSD will implement Phase II of a small-grants program in Central America and the Caribbean. With the assistance from a technical review panel - made up of specialized agencies and NGOs with technical expertise in urban development - the DSD will select and fund proposals from local NGOs, government agencies and community associations of up to US$50,000 awarded on a competitive basis to support sustainable development at the community level through Public Private Partnerships.

Who is Eligible to Apply: The Request for Proposals is open to government agencies, NGOs, community based organizations and academic institutions registered in the Central American and Caribbean member countries of the OAS.

How to Apply: Applicants interested in participating in the project must respond to the Request for Proposals no later than July 28th, 2014. Proposals should be addressed to Richard Huber ([email protected]) and Luisa Neira ([email protected]).

Priority Areas: Proposals must focus on one of the following priority areas for sustainable community development:

 

Community-based Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency

 

For further information on this project please contact Richard Huber at [email protected].