Learn about highlights of IKI projects in Latin America and the Caribbean

Blue Economy empowers coastal communities in Costa Rica

Led by the non-governmental organisation Conservation International Costa Rica (CI-CR), in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the TRANSFORMA-INNOVA programme aims to strengthen coastal livelihoods through the sustainable management and conservation of marine resources — the so-called Blue Economy.

With over 20 years of experience in science-based initiatives, governance and community engagement, CI-CR has promoted ecological restoration at the Humedal Estero Puntarenas y Manglares Asociados (HEPyMA), restoring 155 hectares of mangroves and building more than 23 km of waterways with the involvement of local communities.

The initiative has also promoted sustainable fishing and aquaculture projects, linking fishers and restaurants through the EcoGourmet programme, using traceability systems “from hook to plate”. Today, 48 community organisations are engaged in mangrove conservation, while efforts are under way to sustainably transform five value chains: snapper, croaker, oysters, mussels and farmed shrimp.

Backed by IKI, this strategy combines science, inter-institutional collaboration and community participation to strengthen climate resilience and promote the wellbeing of coastal and marine ecosystems and communities, with support from GIZ.

Learn more about the initiative here.

Building capacity for the energy transition

Latin America and the Caribbean are at the heart of the energy revolution, and IKI is working to ensure the region has the professionals it needs to lead this shift. Implemented by OLADE (the Latin American Energy Organisation), the ETRELA II project addresses the shortage of skilled labour in renewable technologies — such as solar, wind and energy efficiency — through specialised courses, training centres and capacity-building programmes.

Countries including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras and the Dominican Republic are already reaping the benefits of this partnership, which not only opens up opportunities for new green jobs but also strengthens the educational infrastructure needed to support growth in the sector. By training technicians and managers, the project helps accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources, contributes to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and positions the region as a leading player in the move towards a low-carbon economy.

Learn more about the initiative here.

Colombia on the road to COP30

In the heart of Bogotá, IKI Cafecito: Vínculos hacia la COP 30 y la actualización de la NDC 3.0 brought together, in April 2025, representatives from government, civil society, academia and IKI Colombia projects. In an informal setting, the meeting fostered in-depth dialogue on the progress and challenges of updating the country’s NDC 3.0.

Workshops, roundtable discussions and presentations of field experiences helped identify synergies across projects and open new avenues for innovative collaboration. More than a technical forum, the event acted as a laboratory of ideas, aligning national ambition with global demands and reinforcing Colombia’s role as a key player in the climate debate on the road to COP30.

Learn more about the initiative here.

Green Banking strengthens climate finance in Brazil, Colombia and beyond

The Green Banking programme, implemented by the Renewables Academy (RENAC) in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is part of a global effort to accelerate climate finance under the International Climate Initiative (IKI), with funding from the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).

Active across six countries — including Brazil and Colombia — the initiative boosts the capacity of banks, investors and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop projects in renewable energy, energy efficiency, green hydrogen and energy storage.

In 2025, the programme entered a new phase in Latin America, offering more than 100 scholarships, combining in-person and online training, and organising matchmaking events and technical visits to bridge financiers and businesses. It also provides specialised courses such as Fundamentals of Green Energy Finance: Small-Scale Projects, featuring modules on financing renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects, with live expert sessions, discussion forums and practical exercises. Applications have been extended and are open until October 13.

By addressing obstacles such as limited expertise in risk assessment and the challenge of turning ideas into bankable projects, Green Banking is helping prepare the financial sector to meet evolving regulatory and market demands. With COP30 on the horizon, the programme is expected to unlock private and international capital, accelerate the energy transition and enhance regional efficiency.

Learn more about the initiative here.

LACADI: Climate transparency that drives sustainable finance in the region

The Latin American Climate Assets Disclosure Initiative (LACADI), coordinated by Transforma (Colombia) and implemented by Libélula (Peru) and by the Mexico Climate Initiative – ICM, strengthens risk management and climate transparency of the financial sector in Latin America. Through the LACADI Ranking, about 80 institutions are currently evaluated to measure the quality and alignment of its climate disclosure, with parameters such as the IFRS S2; The regional ranking will be published in November. In parallel, the Programa DivulgAcción (DivulgAcción Program) provides technical assistance to financial entities, helping them to incorporate relevant climate information in your reports. These actions seek to fill information gaps, promote sustainable financing and increase the region’s competitiveness in the global climate agenda.

Learn more about the initiative here.

Driving the Caribbean’s Green Transition

With IKI support, the NDC-TEC project is helping Caribbean countries turn their climate commitments into action. Active in Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and other CARICOM States, the initiative focuses on technology, innovation and capacity-building in the transport and energy sectors.

So far, more than 500 people have been trained in electric vehicle (EV) maintenance and safety, building local expertise for greener transport systems. The project is also testing three e-mobility pilots — including electric cars, boats and buses powered by solar PV — and providing technical assistance for the advancement of national climate commitments.

In addition, NDC-TEC has produced studies on green incentives, public procurement and end-of-life management for EVs and solar equipment, creating the foundations for a more sustainable transition across the region.

Learn more about the initiative here.