Republic Bank adds two NGOs to social responsibility programme

Republic Bank has added two non-governmental oranisations (NGOs) to the growing list of social programmes it is supporting through its Power to Make a Difference (PMAD) initiative.

Managing Director and CEO of Republic Bank (Barbados) Anthony Clerk announced on Wednesday that Scarred Not Shattered (SNS) and Supreme Counselling for Personal Development (SCPD) were specifically chosen for the important work with and support offered to at-risk groups.

SNS is an organisation that helps people who have suffered from abuse and domestic violence, while SCPD focuses on crisis intervention and offers a number of support services and programmes.

“Both entities provide intervention and support for people when they are often at their lowest. It is by their efforts that people who may feel unseen or unheard, or are unwanted, are finding embrace, uplifted, and empowered,” Clerk said at the launch of the 2023-2024 edition of the bank’s corporate social responsibility programme.

“All of you are an inspiration to us. Like you, we want to solve real-world problems and create initiatives that transform lives. Of course, providing financial support for your project is a key part of that effort; however, we know we cannot simply live out this idea of being transformative through PMAD alone. We must be transformative with the products and services we provide as a bank as well.”

SCPD’s chief executive officer Shawn Clarke thanked the bank for bringing the organisation on board the PMAD programme, saying that the support would go a long way in assisting the young people using the NGO’s counselling services. 

Among the organisations that have already been benefitting from the bank’s initiative is Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research, Education & Design (WIRRED), a not-for-profit research centre and consultancy dedicated to the study and implementation of climate-smart regenerative agroforestry practices.

On Wednesday, programme director Elize Rostant expressed gratitude to Republic Bank for including the research centre, especially given the climatic changes impacting the globe.

“It is through the visionary leadership of entities like yourself that organisations like mine are able to make the world a better place,” she said.

Clerk said Republic Bank was committed to supporting social services that help at-risk individuals as well as investing in sustainable projects to help the environment.

“As the world continues to transition away from fossil fuels, we in the financial services sector have a duty to ensure that average households can also confidently take the steps towards green energy solutions, whether through installing solar systems or through purchasing electric or hybrid vehicles, or transitioning to cleaner fuels,” the bank CEO said.

“In 2021, the Republic Group signalled its intention to lend and invest US$200 million to support actions that would help achieve major climate financial goals. For us in Barbados, that has included the creation of a suite of products and services that are making it easier for more Barbadians to access technologies that can heal our planet, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and, in some cases, lead to the creation of generational wealth.” (SB)