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).

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 - December 31, 2023
• Submission 2nd round: March 1 - April 30, 2024
• Submission 3rd round: June 1 - July 31, 2024

Dates are approximated and subject to change.