The Smart Fight Against Beach Erosion and Natural Disasters in Barbados

March 04, 2013
The construction of a kilometer-long boardwalk between Rockley and Coconut Court on the southern coast of Barbados is not only a tourist attraction—it also provides safe access to beaches and has increased beach width by nearly 20 meters.

Latin American and Caribbean Women: Better Educated, Lower Paid

October 15, 2012
Even with more education than men, women are still concentrated in lower-paid occupations such as teaching, health care or the service sector. When comparing men and women of the same age and educational level, men earn 17 percent more than women in Latin America.

IDB fuels impact investing in Latin America

February 13, 2012
More than $110 million of impact investing resources were mobilized by the IDB over the past 18 months to finance profitable projects that bring about social change Despite stellar economic performance in recent years, Latin America and the Caribbean still have a long way to go to address pressing development needs, such as reducing poverty, improving educational outcomes and enhancing access to reliable health services.

PROEMPLEO: turning challenges into jobs in Honduras

December 20, 2011
A win-win-win program for the government, the private sector and youth SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – Until not too long ago, Rony Barahona used to wake up at 4 am every day to join the lines of job seekers outside factories in the outskirts of this city, the Honduran industrial capital. Although smart and able-bodied, the 21-year-old would return home empty handed, with no money to support himself or his beloved mother.

Paraguay and the IDB: partners in development

December 15, 2011
Paraguay is a founding member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Bank’s partner in development Through an ongoing process of cooperation, financing has been provided to the Paraguay to carry out major works, which have spurred the country’s economy. This year, the Bank’s portfolio of projects in execution in Paraguay totals 27 sovereign guarantee operations for $755.27 million, of which $445.9 million are pending disbursement.

A water turnaround in Haiti

November 03, 2011
Before the project started in 2008, Saint Marc had running water for nine hours a week, at best. At present service is up to 10 hours a day—the highest average in any urban area in Haiti.

Women entrepreneurs: too often trapped in the microenterprise ghetto

October 05, 2011
Innovative approaches can boost women’s economic presence among small business owners in Latin America and the Caribbean Over the past three decades, women in Latin America and the Caribbean have dramatically increased their role in the workforce. Currently, about half of women in the region are economically active, more than double the level in the 1970s. They have been elected presidents of several Latin American countries and often dominate the microenterprise and microfinance sector, providing an important contribution to regional economies.

A chance for a better life

July 25, 2011
IDB helps provide life skills training and job placement for more than 47,000 Dominican at-risk youth   Social Transformation – story of a young future top chef

Improving housing conditions in Paraguay

June 27, 2011
An innovative way of allowing low-income families to afford home improvements

IDB expects to provide more than $500 million to help Latin America and Caribbean prepare for natural disasters

March 10, 2011
Financial disaster preparedness is a growing concern in Latin America and the Caribbean. Last year the region saw devastating earthquakes in Chile and Haiti and an active hurricane season that impacted Central America and Mexico. In addition, the La Niña-related weather phenomenon has brought severe flooding to Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil, among others.