The partnership will focus on renewable energy investments for sporting-facilities that will benefit community health and wellbeing.
Willemstad, Curaçao – On Thursday, December 17, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Government of Curaçao, Fundashon Desaroyo Deportivo Kòrsou (FDDK), and the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create replicable and scalable projects at sporting facilities that use solar photovoltaic (PV) and include energy-efficient measures.
The model for these projects outlined in the MOU aims to:
– Decrease electricity costs for the sporting facilities;
– Create a multi-functional space that develops and intertwines sports, culture, education, and sustainability; and,
– Design and establish a financial and ownership arrangement to use the savings from the solar PV and energy efficiency measures to reinvest into sporting-related programs.
The Government of Curaçao, FDDK, and CCI thus aim to develop a clean energy future for Curaçao and improve the well-being of local communities by encouraging energy investments that provide consistent revenue for community health and sporting-related investments. This MOU represents the first step towards that goal. By designing and implementing projects at sporting facilities in Curaçao, the partners additionally seek to develop a replicable and scalable model that will help transition other island nations from fossil-fuel based to low-carbon options.
The Government of Curaçao is committed to promoting a low-carbon economy with a new National Energy Policy that states Curaçao will increase its renewable energy penetration to 50% by 2030, reduce energy consumption by 25 percent by 2040, and realize transparent and effective institutions and regulations for the sector by 2030. The Honorable Steven Croes, minister of education, science, culture, and sport, said, “This project represents an investment in our future and our children. Identifying ways to support health and wellbeing through clean-energy solutions at sporting facilities lays a firm foundation for the leaders of tomorrow to follow their dreams and reach their full potential.”
FDDK functions as a central coordinating body for strengthening, activating, and encouraging sports organizations in Curaçao. Vergilly Winklar, managing director, said, “FDDK is responsible for the implementation of the local sports policy by creating, among others, low-threshold accessible sport facilities for citizens of all levels in our community. FDDK is adamant in working together with the government to create environments where sport and exercise can be practiced in evening and night hours.”
CCI works with governments and utilities in 14 geographic locations across the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean to help them harness renewable resources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, open up markets to clean energy, and access new financing. Kevin Thurm, CEO of the Clinton Foundation, said, “As we continue to
see the impact of climate change around the world, I am inspired by our work with partners such as Curaçao and FDDK. This project seeks to provide a model not only for scalable renewable energy but also for environmental justice and inclusion.”
The projects are planned to be located at Sala di Deporte Multifunshonal Barber and Stadion Odulio Willems Suffisant. These locations have been identified for their potential to create investments in the local communities, including after-school programs and health and wellness activities. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, clean air, outdoor exercise, and public health are three priority areas in which the Government, FDDK, and CCI can work together in the present and the future.
This work is made possible by the players of the Nationale Postcode Loterij in the Netherlands and the People’s Postcode Lottery in the United Kingdom.
About the Clinton Foundation
Building on a lifetime of public service, President Clinton established the Clinton Foundation on the simple belief that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, everyone has a responsibility to act, and we all do better when we work together. For nearly two decades, those values have energized the work of the Foundation in overcoming complex challenges and improving the lives of people across the United States and around the world.
As an operating foundation, we work on issues directly or with strategic partners from the business, government, and nonprofit sectors to create economic opportunity, improve public health, and inspire civic engagement and service. Our programs are designed to make a real difference today while serving as proven models for tomorrow. The goal of every effort is to use available resources to get better results faster – at the lowest possible cost.
We firmly believe that when diverse groups of people bring resources together in the spirit of true cooperation, transformative ideas will emerge to drive life-changing action.
Learn more at http://www.clintonfoundation.org/, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ClintonFoundation, and on Twitter @ClintonFdn.
About the Government of Curaçao
With regard to its policy of sports, the Government of Curaçao aims to facilitate the accessibility of sports facilities through its departments and counterparts to create access for all citizens to develop their full potential. The Government of Curacao believes that physical activity adds to the ones personal and social development. And thus aims to attract projects for the public and private sector in order to increase the impact of its policies. With regard to its National Energy Policy the Government of Curaçao aims to implement a smart energy policy which also provides education and sporting facilities in their energy needs in a sustainable way. In general the National Energy Policy aims to create new jobs, trigger continuous innovation and boost economic development. The Government of Curaçao is committed to further establish international partnerships and build capacity to explore and develop opportunities to increase the accessibility of sports
facilities nationwide, and to implement usage of clean energy. Focusing on the further development of a well-rounded citizen, accessibility of sports facilities plays a substantial role in achieving this goal.
About Fundashon Desaroyo Deportivo Kòrsou
Fundashon Desaroyo Deportivo Kòrsou (FDDK) is the sports institute of Curaçao that raises sports and sports development to a higher level and therefore strengthens national identity, togetherness and raises Nation Building.
FDDK aims to implement the sports policy of Curaçao by primarily creating conditions, projects, programs, competitions, education and offering sports facilities for citizens, where sports, recreation and exercise can be practiced. In addition, special attention is paid to specific target groups such as children and students (both during and after school), the disabled, the elderly and young people in the neighborhoods.
Sport and the sports facilities should be accessible to every citizen in Curaçao.
In the vision on sport, 4 sub-topics are distinguished:
1) sports and exercise;
2) sports accommodations;
3) organized sports and
4) communication and education.
As an operating foundation we work with stakeholders in all necessary areas on the island to:
Be the sports institute of Curaçao, that contributes in nation building and create the feeling of being proud of Curaçao; Ensure coordination and synchronization of the implementation of sports policy involving sports associations, schools, neighborhoods, unorganized sports, sponsors and various private initiatives;
Provide a range of sports facilities for recreational and elite sports, activate recreation for young people, disabled people, men, women and seniors; Promote sports and exercise, communicate about sports in Curaçao and facilitate organized sports; Assure that all activities and initiatives be beneficial to our customers, to the athlete, and the sports associations; Be the hub where all information about Curaçao sports comes together.
Visit us: web http://www.fddk.cw/ on Facebook: Fundashon Desaroyo Deportivo Korsou / or Intagram: FDDKTEI
