By Belize Live News Staff: Belize has secured a US$5,194,000 grant from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to launch the Eleventh Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF 11) Programme, aimed at reducing poverty and improving the quality of life in vulnerable communities across the country.
The grant, approved at the CDB’s 310th Board of Directors meeting on June 9 and officially communicated to Belize on July 9, will be administered by the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF) in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Transformation.
BNTF 11 will prioritize key development areas, including access to quality education and training, improved water and sanitation systems, better community infrastructure and drainage, livelihood enhancement, and human resource development.
“This investment reflects our continued commitment to inclusive growth and uplifting those most in need,” the Ministry stated, adding that the programme is designed with transparency and accountability at its core. Implementation will include rigorous environmental and social safeguards, as well as monitoring and evaluation systems to track impact.
The BNTF programme has a longstanding track record of delivering tangible results throughout the Caribbean, and this latest phase in Belize underscores both the CDB’s support and the government’s drive toward sustainable development.
The Ministry of Economic Transformation expressed gratitude to the CDB for its ongoing partnership and reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring the BNTF 11 Programme benefits Belizeans in low-income communities across the nation.
