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Earth Today | EFJ awards more than $51 million in grants

Funds to support conservation, climate change adaptation efforts

Published:Monday | February 3, 2025 | 4:53 PM
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Matthew Samuda (fifth left, front row), minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for water, environment, climate change, and the blue and green economies, shares a photo moment with grantees at the
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Matthew Samuda (fifth left, front row), minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for water, environment, climate change, and the blue and green economies, shares a photo moment with grantees at the recent signing ceremony.
Barrington Lewis fifth from right), chief executive officer for the EFJ, shares lens time with his team, following their recent AGM and grant signing ceremony earlier this month.
Barrington Lewis fifth from right), chief executive officer for the EFJ, shares lens time with his team, following their recent AGM and grant signing ceremony earlier this month.
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TEN LOCAL entities have been provided with grants to the tune of more than $51 million from the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) to support their conservation and climate change adaptation work.

The awards were announced during a grant signing ceremony, held as part of the 28th Annual General Meeting of the EFJ on January 23, at the Hotel Four Seasons in Kingston. The event marked another milestone in the EFJ’s ongoing commitment to environmental conservation, sustainability and community resilience.

ALLOCATIONS

Twenty-one million dollars of the allocated $51 million was awarded under the Forest Conservation Fund to Development Beyond Horizons, the Jamaica Environment Trust and the Source Farm.

Another $30 million was allocated for Climate Change Adaptation projects to seven entities, including the UWI Port Royal Marine Lab, the Danny Williams School for the Deaf, the Council of Voluntary Social Services, and the Church of the Open Bible.

With more than 1,600 projects funded to date, EFJ continues to strengthen Jamaica’s environmental and child sectors. This year’s awards follow EFJ’s March 2024 Call for Proposals which attracted 64 applications.

The rigorous selection process prioritised projects that address climate change adaptation, alternative livelihoods, environmental conservation, innovation, research, and education and awareness.

“As the premier grant-making entity in Jamaica, EFJ remains committed to empowering communities, building capacity, fostering environmental stewardship and promoting sustainable development in the face of escalating climate challenges,” said Barrington Lewis, chief executive officer at the EFJ.

The EFJ, a non-profit organisation, provides the largest pool of grant funding dedicated to supporting environmental conservation and child survival and development initiatives in Jamaica.

Established in 1992, the entity has, since 1992, provided funding of more than $3.25 billion to more than 1,600 projects that promote initiatives in the environment and child sectors.

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