Successful Completion of Joint SDG Fund Programme: Transforming Lives in The Bahamas

The Joint SDG FundProgramme, "Building Back Equal through Innovative Financing for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment,"recently concluded in The Bahamas with the major accomplishment of providing essential and targeted financing and capacity development for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises owned by women, youth, and persons living with disabilities. This technical and financial support empowered enterprises to thrive, contribute to the country's economic growth and advance gender equality.

In this context and recognizing the essential contribution of businesses to sustainable development and their communities, entrepreneurs were trained in gender-responsive business practices and were provided with opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills. Additionally, to contribute to gender equality efforts, UNESCO collaborated with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to conduct the Caribbean Sheroesinitiative within the framework of the Youth Leadership Programme led by the Division of Youth.

Developed in partnership with the Institute for Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies, the Caribbean Sheroes initiative methodology was also shared through a Training of Trainers workshop for Officers and Practitioners to enhance gender equality programming.

At the close-out event held on 22 November, Ms. Lisa Kurbiel, Head of the SDG Fund Secretariat, expressed her enthusiasm and said she was delighted by the program's far-reaching impact, including youth engagement, which brought in her view, fresh perspectives and valuable insights. Along these lines Mr. Dennis Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator for The Bahamas, emphasized the program as a model for effective collaboration and a significant example of how partnerships can reduce inequalities.

Representatives from the Youth As Researchersinitiative in The Bahamas also participated in the event that marked the conclusion of the programme, by presenting their research findings. The Youth as Researchers initiative aimed at connecting and engaging young people to conduct their own research and advancing knowledge generation on women and youth-led entrepreneurship in this Caribbean country.

Similarly, Taneko Rolle, from Royale Sarge Brewers, shared the experience of being a participant in the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiativeaccelerator program conducted in collaboration with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC Bahamas). As a result of the programme, the young entrepreneur was able to secure a grant and gained critical knowledge and valuable insights as well as much needed support to enhance the business journey.

With an investment of nearly USD one million, this pioneering program addressed challenges in the creative and cultural, agribusiness, and tourism sectors by integrating financial support with capacity development and technical guidance. Launched in 2022, it was a collaborative effort involving the Bahamas Development Bank, UNESCO, and three other UN agencies: UN Women, UNDP, and FAO.