(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana – Monday, 26 October 2026) – The Government of Belize, through the Belize Social Investment Fund (SIF), today joined the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) for an Agreement Signing for an investment of $3,624,750.00 USD in educational infrastructure.
Supported through a CDF loan and grant financing structure, and counterpart contribution from the Government of Belize, the initiative will improve learning environments at three beneficiary schools:
St. Francis Xavier R.C. Primary and Pre-Primary School, Corozal Town — new primary and pre-primary classrooms, accessible bathroom facilities and administrative space.
San Antonio Government School, San Antonio Village, Corozal District — new primary and pre-primary classrooms, accessible sanitation facilities, administrative space and a kitchenette for the school feeding programme.
Our Lady of Guadalupe R.C. Primary School, Belmopan City — a new eight-classroom building, accessible bathroom facilities and administrative offices.
The projects will incorporate climate-resilient and inclusive designs, alongside support for furniture, learning materials, technology and teacher development. The investment aims to address overcrowding, improve educational access and create safer, more supportive environments for students and teachers.
This CDF third cycle (2024-2028) project builds on the ongoing partnership between Belize and the CDF and reflects the importance of regional partnerships in advancing Belize’s national development goals.
As the implementing agency, the Belize SIF will coordinate project implementation with the CDF, relevant government ministries, school administrations and other stakeholders to help ensure accountability and lasting benefits for the communities served.
The initiative reinforces the Government of Belize’s commitment to improving access to quality education and creating greater opportunities for Belizean children.
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In photo from L to R: Mr. Rodinald Soomer, CEO of the CARICOM Development Fund and Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. John Briceño signing Loan and Grant Agreements to herald the commencement of the Schools Infrastructure Development Project.
About CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) – The CDF established in 2008 is a regional financial institution in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) mandated to provide technical and financial assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors participating in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The CDF is committed to providing effective, efficient and sustainable solutions that address the challenges faced by its member countries by delivering innovative solutions aimed at reducing intra-regional disparities through effective partnerships and the provision of tailor-made solutions aimed at building resilience and accelerating sustainable economic development in the Caribbean Community. The CDF is based in Barbados.
About CARICOM:
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was established on 4 July 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which was revised in 2001 to allow for the establishment of a single market and economy. CARICOM comprises fifteen Member States and eight Associate Members and is home to approximately sixteen million citizens, 60% of whom are under 30 years old. CARICOM’s work rests on four main pillars: economic integration; foreign policy coordination; human and social development; and security cooperation.
The members of CARICOM work together to create a Community that is integrated, inclusive and resilient; driven by knowledge, excellence, innovation and productivity; a Community which is a unified and competitive force in the global arena, where every citizen is secure and has the opportunity to realise his or her potential with guaranteed human rights and social justice, and contributes to, and shares in, its economic, social and cultural prosperity.
CARICOM remains one of the best examples of integration in the developing world.
The CARICOM Secretariat, the principal administrative organ of the Community, is headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana.