Department of Environment Clarifies Funds Programmed by the SIRF Fund

The

(DOE) wishes to address the erroneous information broadcasted on a local radio program regarding the Sustainable Island Resource Framework Fund (SIRF Fund).

The inaccuracies mentioned include the amount of funds channeled via the SIRF Fund as well as the grants to individuals.

The allegations claim that the SIRF Fund has received over 200 million Eastern Caribbean Dollars (ECD) since its inception.

This is incorrect. In reality, the SIRF Fund has received approximately 20 million ECD. These funds have been effectively utilized in several key areas, including:

Revolving Loans for First Responders: Funding resilient housing projects to ensure that first responders have secure and durable homes.

Grants to Churches and Schools: Supporting the enhancement of these institutions’ resilience to climate impacts.

Loans to Small Businesses:   Providing financial assistance to small enterprises that depend on climate conditions for their operations.

Note:  The Fund does not provide grants to individuals or businesses but grants to community-based organization.

The financial statements of the SIRF Fund are publicly available online via the Department of Environment’s website, ensuring transparency and accountability.

The audits of the SIRF Fund are conducted by BDO and the Accountant EBAS, with internal Auditor ACM. All these companies are external to the Government. The evaluation process further ensures that the SIRF Fund is effectively serving the public.

The fund has just completed its first operationalization phase and all initial funds are exhausted.  The DOE and the SIRF Fund Board is taking steps to access additional financing.   

The DOE and the SIRFF is aware of the keen interest of the public and the need for these resources and will provide additional information when more funds are available. 

The funds access is related to Biodiversity, Chemicals management and Climate change Mitigation and Adaptation only and cannot be used for any activities outside of these. 

The DOE would like to note that there are many other donors that provide funding in other areas of interest but the DOE is not an expert in accessing those funds. 

The DOE sincerely apologizes to all our media houses for any misunderstandings that may have arisen from these inaccuracies. 

We value the role of the media in our work and we will try our best to continue to ensure that you receive accurate information as we move forward.

For further information, please visit our website at 

, or contact the DOE at 4644625.