Saint Lucia is among four Caribbean countries set to benefit from a new regional initiative aimed at helping governments deliver climate-resilient infrastructure projects more efficiently.
Global Affairs Canada and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed an agreement establishing the Caribbean Resilient Infrastructure Implementation and Skills Exchange (RIISE) Facility, which will provide technical support to governments to help overcome infrastructure implementation challenges.
Funded by the Government of Canada and hosted by UNOPS, the facility will initially support Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. A secretariat based in Barbados will coordinate requests from participating governments and mobilise specialised expertise to assist with project delivery.
Canadian High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Brenda Wills, said the initiative reflects Canada’s commitment to strengthening climate resilience across the region.
“Canada is proud to support RIISE as part of our longstanding commitment to strengthening climate resilience across the Caribbean. By helping governments deliver resilient infrastructure more effectively, build local capacity and promote specialised expertise across the region, RIISE will generate lasting benefits for Caribbean communities while deepening the strong ties between Canada and the region,” Wills said.
According to the partners, Caribbean governments are pursuing ambitious infrastructure and climate resilience programmes, but many projects face implementation bottlenecks.
UNOPS Director for Barbados and Caribbean Coordinator Giuseppe Mancinelli said the facility was created in response to requests from governments for practical implementation support.
“Caribbean governments have clear priorities and an ambitious vision for resilient and sustainable development. RIISE will provide timely access to the specialised expertise they need to overcome implementation challenges and turn those priorities into tangible results for communities. At the same time, it will strengthen national capacities and foster greater regional collaboration,” Mancinelli said.
The facility will provide assistance tailored to the needs of participating governments, including short-term technical advisory services, temporary deployment of specialists, and the exchange of knowledge and experience across countries.
UNOPS said RIISE is intended to complement existing financing and project preparation mechanisms by focusing specifically on the implementation phase of infrastructure projects, helping governments translate approved investments into completed projects that benefit communities.
Governments participating in the initiative are being encouraged to engage with the RIISE team early, as potential opportunities for initial support are explored.
The facility is scheduled to be officially launched on September 14, 2026, during the Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) in Miami.
