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Protecting Vulnerable Groups

Blue Economy

COVID-19 Response & Recovery

UNDP 2020

Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Snapshot

UNDP's work in the region focussed on:

We're excited about our progress!

COVID-19 Response and Recovery

As UN technical lead on socio-economic impacts and the improvement of “businesses, jobs and lives” UNDP has provided quick support for the transformation, reactivation and recovery of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises. This comprises the work done with governments, private sector and CSOs to accelerate digitalisation thanks to the development of digital e-commerce platforms and trainings. UNDP has also led the elaboration of eight (8) human and socio economic impact studies and provided direct support for policy implementation.

Blue Economy

‍The increasing potential of the Blue Economy in the Eastern Caribbean as an innovative approach to promote sustainable growth and create jobs is key to supporting economic diversification and resilience in the region. UNDP has led the elaboration of Blue Economy Scoping Studies and Roadmaps in 4 countries and territories, expanded the Blue Economists programme with the University of West Indies (UWI) and experimented with new technologies thanks to the Blue Economy Accelerator Lab. The impact of the COVID-19 crisis has emphasised the importance of this work.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups:
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‍UNDP is committed to “building forward better” with special emphasis on traditionally disadvantaged groups. Since crisis always have greater impact on the population at risks, this year UNDP has made an extra effort to reach the most vulnerable, leaving no-one behind, empowering women-owned business, mitigating the risk of increased domestic violence and helping MSMEs retool and re-skill for a brighter future.

‍Since the outbreak of the pandemic, there have been many conversations surrounding returning to "normal" as if that were an option. Whether, we like it or not, the world which we live in today was virtually unthinkable at the beginning of the year; it has changed. But, this crisis has given us the opportunity to define the "new normal". In this new age, solutions to problems may be simply not enough. The choices we make as humanity must address the root causes of the problems in order to eradicate them, so we do not need to choose environment over communities, or growth over the wellbeing of future generations to come.

In 2020, UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean has started to “Build Forward Better”, rethinking development; launching Development 2.0 #EasternCARIBBEANedition

But there is still more work to be done...

COVID-19 changed the world

Innovation

And we supported governments and communities to implement quick impact interventions and long term results.

Click to push past

the pandemic

RESULTS

Through our projects which work cohesively to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and build forward better.

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CONCRETE EXAMPLES

COVID-19 Response Programme

To reignite regional economies stalled by mass shutdowns and travel bans, UNDP facilitated income support and grant funding and provided technical assistance to help MSMEs develop scalable digital business models.

UNDP coordinated the procurement of PPE and medical supplies to help governments manage the crisis more effectively and supported online education through the provision of ICT equipment for students

Human and Economic Assessments of Impact (HEAT) Reports were published which modelled possible impacts on economic growth & government finances and identified a range of relevant interventions needed to promote relief and resilience

Climate Resilience was at the fore front of building forward better

UNDP contributed to building more climate-resilient homes in Barbuda and essential services such as the Hannah Thomas Hospital, the Barbuda General post office and the Salisbury Education Facility in Dominica

Provided environmental protection stakeholders with equipment to assist with the execution of their day-to-day activities

Promoted landscape management in Dominica, Grenada and Saint Kitts and Nevis to strengthen existing protected areas and establish buffer zone in order to reduce threats to biodiversity and ecological functioning

Gender issues were continuously addressed this year

UNDP supported initiatives against Gender Based Violence including funding for psychosocial support services, the establishment of hotlines, advocacy campaigns and safe houses

On the policy end, we assisted with the development of Gender Mainstreaming Roadmaps and Gender- Based Climate Resilience Baseline Analysis Studies

Championed the advancement of gender equality through climate change actions and improved access to livelihoods.

Caribbean security and governance to support sustainable development

Front line workers including law enforcement personnel were provided with PPE to ensure their safety while conducting essential duties in the COVID-19 context

Digital tools and software along with training and technical support were provided to Caribbean law enforcement personnel, to advance the use of data to combat crime and develop crime prevention strategies

A Needs Assessment on the administration of justice in the Caribbean was conducted and the Report provides an up-to-date analysis of the main opportunities and challenges in the region with regard to citizens’ access to justice

Innovation was used as tool to drive recovery and resilience

eFUTURE - practical guides to help MSMEs re-tool and discover new ways to reach customers

MSMEs - Grant funding, technical support to transform traditional business models to operate online. FarmFinder Site developed to safely connect farmers with the market

BlueDigital- Connecting fisherfolk with supply chains and promote the use of data-driven decision making.

IslandHack - Hackathon challenge launched to find innovative solutions to COVID-19-related issues