Thirty-one entries have been received for the inaugural Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) Poverty Reduction and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups Category at this year’s Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Regional Media Awards set for August 13 in Belize.

The BNTF is the CDB's primary tool for direct poverty reduction in the Caribbean. It addresses needs identified by vulnerable communities in water and sanitation, education, livelihood enhancement, and access and drainage, aiming to improve the quality of life for beneficiaries in its nine participating countries.

To increase programme visibility and regional poverty reduction efforts, the CDB BNTF, in 2023, signed an agreement with the CBU to sponsor the awards category. When entries closed on February 29, CBU reported that it had received one entry for radio, nine for print, 18 for television, and three in digital media from BNTF project countries Belize, Guyana, and Jamaica, as well as non-project countries Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

Under the agreement, CBU will share BNTF programming material with media houses around the Caribbean through its Media Share portal.

CDB Acting President, Mr. Isaac Solomon, expressed satisfaction with the reception from regional media.

“CDB is pleased to note the diversity of participating countries and the level of interest expressed in the BNTF category, as this augurs well for future regional awards,” Mr. Solomon said.

Mr. George Yearwood, CDB BNTF Portfolio Manager, said the media response reflects regional interest in poverty reduction.

“It is our first time sponsoring the category and we are happy with the uptake. We want to have more dialogue on the issue of poverty reduction – what are the main organisations and communities active in the sphere and how can we work more smartly and closely together to aid sustainable development,” Mr. Yearwood said.

The 35th CBU Caribbean Awards Media Gala – under the title sponsorship of the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago - will be held in Placencia, Belize, as part of the CBU's 55th Annual General Assembly. A total 485 entries in 63 categories were submitted by 34 organisations across the English, Dutch, English, and Spanish-speaking Caribbean.