Background

Caribbean MSMEs face significant challenges linked to high energy costs, dependence on imported fossil fuels, and increasing vulnerability to climate change. These pressures reduce competitiveness and resilience, making energy efficiency and sustainable practices critical to long-term growth.

With support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), together with Business Support Organizations (BSOs), is advancing the development of an online energy audit tool and related training. This initiative will help MSMEs adopt Energy Efficiency (EE), Resource-Efficient Cleaner Production (RECP), and Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS)—transforming sustainability from a perceived burden into a pathway to lower costs, enhanced productivity, and improved competitiveness.

Contracting Authority

Caribbean Export Development Agency.

Beneficiary Countries

IDB Caribbean Countries: Belize, The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Summary of Objectives and Scope of Work

Overall Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to assess and define the specific needs of the private sector in the Caribbean regarding energy auditing tools. The findings will guide the development of an online energy audit tool that supports micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in improving energy efficiency (EE), adopting resource-efficient cleaner production (RECP) practices, and meeting voluntary sustainability standards (VSS)

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the Consultancy are:

• Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of MSMEs regarding energy auditing tools, including awareness, technical capacity, and perceived challenges.
• Identify the key features and functionalities required in an energy audit tool tailored to the Caribbean business environment.
• Provide recommendations on the tool’s scope, user interaction level, data requirements, and output format.
• Ensure alignment with international energy audit standards while addressing region-specific challenges and opportunities.
• Assess the role of business support organizations (BSOs) in promoting and facilitating the adoption of the tool

Scope of Work

The Consultancy will:

A. Desk Research

• Review existing energy audit tools and best practices applicable to MSMEs.
• Assess the current regulatory frameworks, incentives, and policies supporting energy efficiency and sustainability in the Caribbean.

B. Stakeholder Engagement

• Conduct surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with MSMEs across various industries in the target countries (Bahamas, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago) to determine the needs and requirements of such a tool.
• Engage with key stakeholders such as BSOs, government agencies, and financial institutions to understand the support mechanisms available for energy audits.

C. Analysis and Reporting

• Analyze data collected from MSMEs to determine their level of awareness, willingness to adopt EE/RECP/VSS practices, and technical gaps.
• Provide recommendations for structuring the audit tool, including data input methods, interactive features, and reporting formats.
• Identify potential barriers to adoption and propose strategies for overcoming them

Duration

The consultancy is expected to be completed within four (4) months, with milestones aligned with deliverables

Submission Guidelines

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience.
• A technical proposal outlining the approach and methodology for the consultancy.
• A financial proposal detailing the consultancy fees in USD.
• Contact information for at least two professional references.
• Signed Applicant Declaration Form

Deadline for submission: September 30, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (AST)

Email submissions to: greenenergy@carib-export.com

Please see below to download full terms of reference for this consultancy.