Silver Region launches second call to promote the economy and care for the elderly

Up to USD$100,000 per project and an acceleration program seek to transform aging in the region; Dominican Republic considers creating a national care system Latin America, 2025. – With the support of IDB Lab, the Arturo Sesana Foundation, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and GRADE, and the support of Latimpacto, Innpactia, Grupo Impacta and Agora Partnerships, the multilateral fund Región Plateada announced the launch of its second call to identify and finance projects that promote innovative solutions in the care of older adults in Latin America and the Caribbean. The selected companies may receive up to USD$100,000, in addition to technical support, specialized mentoring, and an acceleration program. Proposals must focus on at least one of three areas: innovative care services, caregiver training, or prevention of dependency in people over 60 years of age.

In this new edition, participation is expanded to companies from outside the region that plan to implement their solutions in Latin American or Caribbean countries. According to the program coordinator, María Andrea Orduz Mateus, the Caribbean will have a prominent role due to the rapid growth of its older population, with cases such as Barbados (31.1%), Jamaica (28.0%), Bahamas (27.1%) and Dominican Republic (21.1%) projected for 2050.

The challenge is not minor: the Inter-American Development Bank warns that by mid-century, more than 208 million people in the region will be over 60 years old. In the Dominican Republic, the elderly population will increase from the current 15% to 21%, and 90% do not currently have adequate services, while 70% perceive discrimination as consumers. The IDB survey also reveals the reality of caregivers in the country: 90.6% are women, most without training (73.6%), with low incomes and a high incidence of stress, depression, and abuse. The National Council for the Elderly (CONAPE) is currently the governing body for the policies of this sector. Región Plateada seeks not only to provide financing, but to change the narrative of aging, professionalize care, and open markets for the so-called silver economy.
Registrations will be open from July 9 to September 9, 2025, and those selected will be announced on December 12, 2025 at www.fondoregionplateada.com.