Enviro News Asia, Castries — The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Agence française de développement (AFD) signed a new grant agreement to strengthen regional efforts to develop resilient, green, and affordable housing across the Eastern Caribbean. The agreement was signed in Castries, Saint Lucia, on 30 January 2026.
The cooperation aims to enhance housing resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that face increasing climate-related risks, including extreme weather events, limited land availability, and rising construction costs. The initiative supports low- to middle-income households while promoting sustainable building practices aligned with global climate and development goals.
Under the agreement, GGGI will support the refinement of regional guidelines for resilient, green, and affordable housing. The guidelines will integrate international best practices while responding to the specific geographic and socio-economic conditions of Eastern Caribbean countries. The program also strengthens regional coordination among governments and development partners.
The grant further co-finances ongoing work in Saint Lucia under the Green Climate Fund (GCF), particularly the development of a community master plan and an environmental and social impact assessment for a pilot housing project in Balata, Castries. The pilot project is designed to expand access to affordable housing, support home ownership, and increase resilience to climate hazards.
AFD Atlantic Ocean Regional Director Marc Dubernet stated that the collaboration builds on existing partnerships and supports practical solutions for sustainable housing. He emphasized that scaling up the initiative at the regional level would contribute to long-term resilience and climate adaptation in the Caribbean.
GGGI Caribbean Representative Daniel Muñoz-Smith said the agreement strengthens policy instruments and regional cooperation to address shared housing challenges among Eastern Caribbean states. He noted that the initiative supports affordability, sustainability, and resilience for communities most vulnerable to climate change.
The Eastern Caribbean region continues to face heightened vulnerability due to climate change, economic constraints, and limited land resources. These challenges have driven housing development into high-risk areas, increasing exposure to natural hazards. The GGGI–AFD cooperation seeks to address these risks by integrating climate-resilient design, sustainable technologies, and innovative financing models.
Since 2021, GGGI and AFD have collaborated to support investment planning and capacity-building for affordable and climate-resilient housing in the Eastern Caribbean. The new grant agreement builds on this foundation and reinforces regional efforts to strengthen sustainable housing systems and climate resilience. (*)
