The MEPA

Trust

Governments of the region are increasingly aware of economic values of marine / coastal resources, and their sharp decline. Consequently, they came together in 2008 to find a solution. Out of this initiative, senior government officials made two commitments. Consequently, they came together “at the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) in 2008 to find a solution. The CCI is an innovative platform joining visionary government leaders with civil society and private sector to protect the Caribbean’s marine and coastal resources. The CCI aims to safeguard the region’s valuable resources, helping ensure prosperous economies and a sustainable future for the Caribbean. Participating countries and territories formally declare their commitment to marine and coastal conservation and pledge to take on the CCI’s goals.

 “20 by 20” target. To effectively conserve at least 20% of their near-shore marine / coastal environment by year 2020.

To support and put in place a new sustainable finance architecture that will generate long-term funding for the marine and coastal environment in the form of trust funds and sustainable finance mechanism, such as tourism user fees.

Proceeding the Caribbean Challenge Initiative in 2008, The World Bank through The Nature Conservancy (TNC) the Implementing Agency, implemented a five-year project on August 4th, 2011. Ending December 31st, 2016

“Sustainable Financing & Management of Eastern Caribbean Marine Ecosystem Project” was born and under the Sustainable Financing & Management of Eastern Caribbean Marine Ecosystem Project the Nature Conservancy and project partners came together and set up the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF).

The CBF’s initial capitalization was US$32 Million.

Established in September 2012, The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) is a regional endowment fund whose objective is to provide a sustainable flow of funds to support activities that contribute substantially to the conservation, protection and maintenance of biodiversity within the national protected areas systems or any other areas of the environmental significance of its participating countries.
The CBF is the first such regional endowment, and will
channel support to multiple National Conservation Trust Funds (NCTFs) established in participating countries.

 

Aims & Objectives

Our aim is to provide a sustainable flow of funds which will enable the Trust to support the long term management and expansion of Antigua and Barbuda’s areas of land and/or sea.

These funds are specifically dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity and natural resources and other activities that contribute substantially to the conservation, protection and maintenance of biodiversity.

These were identified after consultation with stakeholders who are consistent with our Aims and Objectives.

The MEPA Trust will have stakeholders (fishers, farmers, users of the sea, etc.) and community involvement in all approved projects funded by the Trust.

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