Build Back Equal: Joint SDG
Fund Project
BDB and UNDP Host Gender Sensitization Workshop
July 8, 2024
Government agencies play a key role in shaping The Bahamas’ entrepreneurial ecosystem. On July 8, 2024, representatives from various ministries joined a workshop hosted by UNDP Jamaica MCO and The Bahamas Development Bank to explore the intersection of gender equality, the SDGs, and inclusive financing—focusing on how policy can better support women and youth entrepreneurs.
BDB and UN Women Host Retreat for Women in Business
Nassau Bahamas, 28 August 2024
The Bahamas Development Bank (BDB), in partnership with UN Women, hosted an exclusive Women in Business Empowerment Retreat with nearly 70 dynamic women, as part of its ongoing commitment to fostering economic empowerment and gender equality. The retreat featured a powerful keynote session led by global visionary and entrepreneur Ibukun Awosika, whose insights on personal and professional success deeply resonated with attendees and inspired actionable change. In addition to transformative networking opportunities, BDB introduced its new Joint SDG Concessional Loan Fund, offering extraordinary interest rates of just 0–2 percent to support businesses in agriculture, tourism, and the creative industries that are owned by, led by, or benefit women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
25 Women-Led Businesses Receive Gender-Equitable Grants
GEFA Award Ceremony hosted by UNFAO and The Bahamas Development Bank celebrates women entrepreneurs.
On October 2, the Sapodilla Estate was the elegant setting for an inspiring evening where 25 women-led businesses were awarded grants ranging from $2,000 to $7,500, as part of the United Nations SDG Building Back Equal Through Innovative Gender Equitable Finance Program. The event, held in collaboration with the Bahamas Development Bank (BDB ), and the United Nations Food Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), highlighted the vital role of women entrepreneurs in shaping the future of the Bahamian economy.
The grants, funded by the UN Joint SDG Fund under the Build Back Equal Program, were awarded to women-led businesses selected from a competitive pool of over 78 applicants who took part and completed in the accelerator program facilitated by the CeLearn Division of The University of The Bahamas. These entrepreneurs represented sectors from agriculture, creative industries and tourism, with each receiving support to scale their operations and contribute to the sustainable development goals of The Bahamas.
BDB and UN Team Host Joint SDJ Closing Event
On November 22nd, marked a transformative milestone with the closing ceremony of the Joint SDGs Concessional Loan Fund at Baha Mar Convention Centre. Through this groundbreaking initiative, the Bahamas Development Bank disbursed $2.5 million in low-interest loans and nearly $100,000 in grants—empowering close to 300 entrepreneurs. Focused on gender equality and inclusive economic growth, the program delivered training in gender-responsive business practices, policy development, and leadership. In partnership with the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, UN Women, UNESCO, FAO, and UNDP, we’re proud to support a new generation of Bahamian business leaders driving sustainable development.
