Environmental Foundation of Jamaica

The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) was established in 1993 under a “debt-swap” agreement between the Governments of the United States and Jamaica. Its mission is to conserve and manage Jamaica’s natural resources and environment while improving child survival and development. EFJ provides funding, technical support, and oversight to non-governmental organizations, community‐based groups, academic institutions, and public sector partners across the island. Key areas of work include watershed and coastal zone management, biodiversity protection, waste and water management, forest conservation, alternative energy, climate change adaptation, and marine/coastal research. EFJ also administers major funds such as the Forest Conservation Fund and the Special Climate Change Adaptation Fund (SCCAF). Recent grants support innovation, education, and child-environmental interface programmes, reflecting a dual focus on environmental sustainability and social development. With over 1,600 projects funded since its founding, EFJ is recognized as Jamaica’s primary source of environmental grant funding and plays a crucial role in enabling grassroots action for conservation and resilience.