1. Relevant Background

Caribbean Export is implementing the European Union’s Global Gateway Third Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP). The overall objective of the RPSDP is to increase employment creation, inclusiveness, and overall poverty reduction in the 14 member countries of the Caribbean Community and Dominican Republic, also known as CARIFORUM. Through targeted interventions that provide new and innovative frameworks for growth and development, the Agency is focusing on three areas.

• Accelerating towards a Green Economy and a Digital Transformation
• Access to Finance for regional SMEs
• Expanding Trade and Investment under the European Economic Partnership Agreement

Within the context of the RPSDP, Caribbean Export has identified energy costs to be a significant variable impacting the operational expenses and therefore the international competitiveness of CARIFORUM firms. CARIFORUM countries have amongst the highest costs of electricity globally. According to World Bank data over the period 2015-2020, the average price of electricity in CARIFORUM was USD 0.27/kWh compared to the OECD average of USD 0.15/kWh and the global average of USD 0.17/kWh. Furthermore, this premium significantly increases within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) who have paid on average USD 0.35/kWh over the same period. These high costs reflect the structure and operation of the electricity system in CARIFORUM countries, which in turn has significantly contributed to exchange reserve pressure, fiscal deficits and public debt with serious implications for energy security, energy affordability and the competitiveness of the CARIFORUM private sector.

Climate change mitigation and adaptation present an opportunity for economic transformation as the cross-sectoral impact of the energy transition would: (i) limit the region’s exposure to energy dependency and by extension energy price shocks, (ii) create fiscal space and lessen the burden on countries’ foreign exchange reserves and (iii) provide new and more flexible clean energy and other environmental services to commercial and industrial consumers. Furthermore, the integration of international standards, including voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) will impact the region’s private sector’s ability to trade competitively.

To deal with the pressures associated with climate change and the severe risks it poses to the region, the private sector must play a key role in transitioning to sustainable economies. Therefore, the strategic focus of this action on the green economy transition through private sector development will contribute to the region’s ability to leverage emerging green technologies to facilitate far reaching economic transformation. In fact, the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that for every US dollar invested in energy transition, an additional US 93 cents of GDP growth will occur above the business-as-usual scenario.

The programme is geared towards increasing the awareness and capacity of regional SMEs to implement green business practices such as international and voluntary sustainability standards, circular production and other such practices thereby contributing significantly to their international competitiveness.

In line with its strategic initiatives under the RPSDP, Caribbean Export has been actively supporting businesses in the region to embrace the green economy transition via the International Trade Centre’s “Green to Compete Hub” initiative. Since 2021, the Agency has been piloting the programme in Guyana, Saint Lucia and Barbados where focused efforts have enhanced the capabilities of local SMEs in adopting sustainable and energy-efficient practices. Prior to this, under the Productivity Network (ProNET) suite of training, Energy Management workshops were also conducted across the region.

The positive impact of these workshops on participating businesses has underscored the importance and effectiveness of hands-on, tailored training in facilitating the transition towards a green economy. Encouraged by the interest of those initiatives, Caribbean Export is looking to broaden and deepen its impact. This is driven by the recognition of the critical role that widespread adoption of green practices can play in enhancing the region’s overall competitiveness and sustainability, particularly considering the pressing challenges posed by climate change and high energy costs. Through this concerted endeavour, Caribbean Export will foster a regional ecosystem that is resilient, innovative, and aligned with global sustainability standards.

2. Objective

The overarching goal of this consultancy is to enhance the competitiveness of the CARIFORUM private sector through a focused capacity-building programme on green energy business practices.

3. Scope of Work

Caribbean Export is seeking the professional services of a consultant/firm who will be responsible for implementing a comprehensive training and capacity-building program focused on green business practices for the private sector in CARIFORUM.

To achieve the objectives of this consultancy, the consultant will be required to undertake the following activities:

• Tailor an existing curriculum that includes a series of modules focused on green energy practices that will equip businesses with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement sustainable energy solutions effectively. The training should reflect the current green business landscape within CARIFORUM countries, with a view to encouraging increased energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption within the private sector.
• Conduct 8 in person workshops across the CARIFORUM region. The workshop duration is 2 – 3 days.
• Establish a framework for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the training and capacity-building activities, including the development of metrics to assess the uptake of sustainable energy practices by participating firms.
• Prepare comprehensive reports at each stage of the consultancy, documenting the activities undertaken, the outcomes achieved, and recommendations for future initiatives focused on sustainable energy within the CARIFORUM private sector.

4. Required Documentation

• Technical proposal/concept design for delivery of services requested.
• Financial proposal, in Euros, to meet scope of works.
• Applicant Declaration form in paragraph 14.

Required documentation should be submitted to Ms. Natasha Edwin-Walcott, Senior Advisor Competitiveness and Export Promotion at [email protected] with a copy to Dr. Damie Sinanan, Manager Competitiveness and Export Promotion at [email protected] no later than 31st March, 2024 4:00 pm AST.

Download the full terms of reference.