SBRC collaborates globally, focusing on impactful projects in eligible countries aligned with our mission.8
SBRC partners with organizations and businesses worldwide to drive impactful development projects. While SBRC prioritizes its efforts in low and lower middle-income countries, as classified by the World Bank, we also engage in select projects in upper-middle-income countries when aligned with our mission and goals.
In addition, SBRC is committed to supporting initiatives in energy, infrastructure, and related sectors in eligible regions, ensuring compliance with applicable guidelines and mandates.
SBRC only supports projects in countries where there are formal agreements with the respective governments, authorizing SBRC to provide project and investment support.
Please note that SBRC does not operate in all countries. To learn more, review the list of countries where SBRC is currently unable to operate.
SBRC is committed to ensuring that all supported projects create positive developmental impacts, adhere to robust environmental and social standards, and respect human rights, including labor rights.
Environmental and Social Policy and Procedures
SBRC’s Environmental and Social Policy and Procedures (ESPP) serve as the cornerstone of our commitment to environmental and social sustainability. In alignment with global best practices and standards of peer institutions, the ESPP outlines the guidelines that govern SBRC-funded projects worldwide. It includes both pre-investment environmental and social policy reviews as well as continuous monitoring and obligations post-investment.
In 2024, the ESPP underwent a comprehensive review, incorporating input from diverse stakeholders, including the development community, clients, NGOs, and government representatives. The updated ESPP was subjected to a public consultation process and will take effect starting April 1, 2024. Applications submitted prior to this date will be assessed under the previous policy framework.
Projects with significant potential adverse environmental or social impacts undergo a transparent review process, including public disclosure of assessments for a 60-day comment period. SBRC is dedicated to improving its policies continuously and contributing to the advancement of best practices in environmental and social risk management.
Development Policy
SBRC evaluates each project using a performance measurement tool to assess, monitor, and enhance developmental impact in three key areas:
Additionality
SBRC ensures that its support complements and mobilizes private capital that would otherwise not be available for developmental projects. This involves providing critical backing to projects that the private sector alone cannot support on viable terms while aligning with long-term development objectives.
Indicators of additionality include:
SBRC also references global frameworks for additionality in private sector operations to ensure alignment with best practices.
SBRC ensures that all supported projects adhere to its rigorous environmental and social standards, prioritizing environmental protection, worker and human rights, and positive impacts on local communities. Projects that foster sustainability and create long-term benefits for the region are strongly encouraged.
To align with SBRC’s developmental priorities, projects must contribute to key areas such as improving public infrastructure, promoting job skills training and entrepreneurship, expanding healthcare and essential services, and supporting renewable energy and conservation initiatives.
Applicants must demonstrate proven management competence, a track record of success in similar industries, and provide financial evidence of their ability to execute the project effectively. SBRC evaluates these criteria to ensure alignment with its mission and developmental goals.
SBRC complements private sector initiatives by addressing funding gaps and fostering regional development. Priority is given to projects that tackle critical challenges, such as building essential infrastructure, creating opportunities for community growth, and supporting renewable energy projects that promote environmental sustainability.
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The Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) is a Federal-State partnership for economic and community development within the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.
3655 Research Drive, Genesis Center-C
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001