by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) on Monday, June 15, 2009 launched a community project valued at over one hundred and thirty-three thousand US dollars (US$133 000.00) in the north of Dominica. The launching ceremony took place at the Cabrits National Park with a number of officials from the Government of Dominica and the OECS Secretariat in attendance.
The project launched is expected to provide a number of income generating opportunities for community persons who live in the vicinity of the Cabrits National Park. As a long term goal, the project aims to assist in poverty reduction by providing skills and job opportunities that seek to maintain the integrity of the park as a protected area.
Staff members of the department of Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Agriculture together with community persons and other stakeholders from the Portsmouth area developed the project in December 2008 and identified a series of potential livelihood opportunities that could be supported. These include art and craft production, tour guiding, food catering and boat and engine maintenance.
In order to facilitate community persons who are interested in the benefits of the project, a number of grants will be made available for the purchase of raw materials to support their livelihood choices.
Following the launch, a team of technical officers from the OECS Secretariat will conduct a two-day training workshop for persons who have been selected to implement the community project. The project is scheduled for June 16th – 17th in Portsmouth and will focus on providing skills in financial management, partnership building, community mobilisation and other pertinent management areas. It will also serve as a medium through which potential beneficiaries are identified and selected for the opportunities offered by the project.
The Community Sustainable Livelihood Initiative is being implemented under the OECS Protected Areas and Associated Livelihood Project (OPAAL) and is the second such project to be launched by OPAAL. The first livelihood project was launched in Union Island, St. Vincent in March 2008. |
