Caribbean Development Bank Launches New Fund for Women
The WE-CLIMB Fund provides grants and technical support to help women-led enterprises navigate climate-related challenges.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Women’s Issues
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Should regional development programs prioritize funding for women-led small businesses to build climate resilience?
The Caribbean Development Bank has officially introduced the WE-CLIMB Fund to support women-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The initiative helps these businesses prepare for and recover from climate-related economic shocks.
Why it matters
Women-led enterprises often face unique barriers in disaster recovery, and this fund aims to bridge that gap with targeted infrastructure and technology support. It ensures these businesses remain resilient against the increasing frequency of climate events in the region.
The European Union provided 700,000 euro through its Latin America and Caribbean Investment Facility to back the fund. This effort addresses a massive global financing gap for women-led businesses, which currently stands at 1.7 trillion USD.
The players
Caribbean Development Bank
Based in Bridgetown, Barbados, this financial institution provides loans and grants to promote economic growth across the region.
European Union
This political and economic union of 27 member states provides significant development funding to international partners through the Latin America and Caribbean Investment Facility.
The details
Administered under the SheTrades Caribbean II Programme, the fund offers technical assistance, business continuity planning, and climate risk assessments. Qualified micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the bank's borrowing member countries can apply for infrastructure and technology grants.
Timeline
The SheTrades Caribbean II Programme operates from 2025 through 2028.
The first call for applications for the WE-CLIMB Fund is expected in December 2026.
Culture Shift
This initiative follows the strategic framework established by the SheTrades Caribbean II Programme to formalize and grow women-led businesses. It signals a shift toward integrating climate resilience into the standard development goals for small and medium-sized regional enterprises.
Entrepreneurs in Caribbean Development Bank member countries should monitor the upcoming application cycle to leverage these grants for climate-proofing their operations. Small business owners can utilize the program to access infrastructure upgrades that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive.
The takeaway
This fund highlights the increasing importance of preparing small businesses for climate instability through targeted financial support. Business leaders can benefit by planning for climate risks well in advance of the 2026 application window.
What happens next
The first call for applications for the WE-CLIMB Fund is scheduled to open in December 2026.
Further reading
For broader context on international initiatives supporting business equality, visit the Women’s Issues section.
Live Poll
Should regional development programs prioritize funding for women-led small businesses to build climate resilience?
