The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), through its innovation laboratory, IDB Lab, and in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) seeks to support innovative solutions that contribute to the sound management of hazardous Chemicals and Waste (C&W) to protect human health and the environment, and address climate vulnerability in the Caribbean region.

This initiative seeks solutions for the following priority waste streams:

• used lubricating oils
• used and end-of-life tires
• used and end-of-life vehicles
• used and end-of-life electronic and electrical equipment (E-waste)
• plastics
• manufacturing/industrial waste
• organic and municipal solid waste
• medical waste
• hazardous pesticides

Solutions must be implemented in the following target countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.

IDB Lab may consider the Applicants whose proposals are selected to receive financing to implement their proposed business model in one of the 10 target countries.

Applicants whose proposals are selected will also be included among IDB Lab´s network of global innovators working in LAC to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices, and may have opportunities to participate in networking events organized by the IDB Group and its partners.

Selected Applicants will receive IDB Lab/IDB and/or GEF funding once:

• The proposed business model has been duly analyzed to obtain evidence of its viability;
• The Applicant’s experience in the sector, capacity to manage the financial resources and project execution experience have been evaluated;
• Availability of or ability to mobilize counterpart resources has been demonstrated; and,
• A legal written agreement to use IDB Lab/IDB and/or GEF funding and counterpart resources towards the implementation of the selected model/project has been signed by both parties (IDB/IDB Lab and Applicant selected through the analysis process).

Applicants can request project financing via the following financial instruments:

a) Loan (Reimbursable)
- IDB Funding: between US$500,000 – US$2,000,000.
- Counterpart funds: Desirable, but not required 50% of the total project amount, half in cash and half in kind. Counterpart will be positively considered for selection.

b) Contingent Recovery Financing (Reimbursement conditions to be agreed during due diligence)
- IDB Lab Funding: between US$300,000 – US$750,000.
- Counterpart funds to be provided by the Applicant: 50% of the total budget, half in cash and half in kind.

c) Grants (Non-reimbursable)
- IDB Lab Funding: between US$300,000 – US$750,000.
- Counterpart funds to be provided by the Applicant: 50% of the total budget, half in cash and half in kind.

d) Technical Cooperation (TC) Prototypes (Non-reimbursable)
- IDB Lab Funding: between US$100,000 - US$150,000.
- Counterpart funds to be provided by the Applicant: 20% of the total budget, can be all in kind (case by case basis).

TC Prototypes are aimed at testing early-stage innovations and technological solutions with a rapidly executing, simplified structure (18 months duration, no more than three procurements).

The proposed solutions must:

• Be innovative in nature and present a business model that has not been implemented before in the country or that adds an innovation component to an existing model.
• Focus on reducing environmental pollution and climate vulnerability, thus, contributing to at least one of the following indicators:

• reduction, disposal/destruction, phase out, elimination and avoidance of chemicals of global concern and their waste in the environment and in processes, materials and products (metric tons of toxic chemicals reduced)
• reduction, avoidance of emissions of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to air from point and non-point sources
• reduction of marine litter.
• Promote the social and economic inclusion of poor and vulnerable population; and
• Contemplate a path for scalability or replication, as well as financial sustainability.

Startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), corporations, NGOs, and others with demonstrated expertise in managing at least one of the priority waste streams mentioned. 

If your organization is located in one of the 10 target countries where the project will be implemented, you may submit a proposal.

If your organization is located in one of the 48 IDB member countries other than one of the 10 target countries where the project will be implemented, you may submit a proposal only in partnership with an organization registered and located in one of the 10 target countries where the project will be implemented.  The Caribbean-based organization should be materially involved in the activities of the proposed project. Project impact must favor one of the 10 target countries.

To apply please complete the online application available on this site by clicking Start Proposal, within the submission round deadlines.

Please consult the Guidelines (English, Español) for more detailed information.

Please download and complete the Budget template (English, Español) to attach to your proposal submission.

For further information on IDB Lab project selection procedures, visit this website.

Proposals will be received on a rolling basis, beginning November 1, 2023, following the indicative submission dates below. However, proposals will be considered on a first-come first-serve basis and rounds may be subject to change and/or early conclusion.

• Submission 1st round: November 1 - January 31, 2024
• Submission 2nd round: Feb 1 - May 31, 2024
• Submission 3rd round: June 1 - July 31, 2024

Selected proposals will be contacted on a rolling basis.

Dates are approximated and subject to change.

*For more information, please visit the Guidelines

Please send your questions to BlueTech-Apply@iadb.org