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Project goal: The integrated sustainable development of the Grenadine Islands area for the social and economic well being of the people who live there.
Project purpose: To develop functioning participatory co-management for integrated sustainable development in the Grenadines
To demonstrate participatory sustainable development in small island systems that can be adapted and applied elsewhere.
Background: The Grenadine islands lie on the Grenada Bank and straddle the boundary between Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. There are over 20 islands, of which 9 have permanent settlements. Two are resort islands. The largest islands have towns and communities with public and private supporting infrastructure. Most others are visited by yachters, and fishers. Much of the bank area occupied by the by the Grenadine Islands (about 1,500 km2) is shallower than 50 m and supports the most extensive coral reefs and related habitats in the south-eastern Caribbean. Marine-based activities are the mainstay of the economy of the area. Tourism is a major source of employment and tourism development is proceeding apace. Fishing is the other major source of employment.
Both Governments perceive their Grenadine Islands as having high potential for tourism and associated development.They also recognise the high vulnerability of the marine and terrestrial resource systems of the area to environmental degradation and the dependency of sustainable development on conservation of the resources.
Project area: The Grenadine Islands - Bequia to Carriacou
Duration: November 2003 - December 2008
Funding: The Lighthouse Foundation , Germany, funded the project core (US$150,000 a year for five years).
Phase 1
Stakeholder assessment and participatory project development
Phase 1 (June 2002 - April 2003) which is completed, included:
- Stakeholder assessment and mobilisation, including an appraisal of Government and NGO capacity for participation;
- Participatory strategic planning to develop an integrated framework; and
- The proposal for the five-year sustainable development program to be implemented in Phase 2.
Phase 2
Action plan:
- Include substantial institutional capacity building for local NGOs and government departments;
- Focus on the establishment of management and co-management systems required for sustainable resource use and management; and
- Prepare proposals and seek funding for related elements that exceed the Phase 2 core budget and scope.
Project area: The Grenadine Islands - Bequia to Carriacou
Duration: November 2003 - December 2008
Funding: The Lighthouse Foundation , Germany, funded the project core (US$150,000 a year for five years).
What is happened in Phase 2?: The Project Implementation Unit was established in Union Island. It was staffed by the Project Manager and the Project Administrator who implemented the project core comprising these focal areas:
- Networking and formation of partnerships to develop functional linkages among stakeholder groups within the Grenadines (Newsletter, Website, electronic newsgroup, workshops, conferences);
- Assistance to stakeholder groups in developing project proposals, sourcing funding and monitoring and evaluating projects;
- Capacity building through training and attachments for stakeholders in areas such as project development, comanagement, organisational management, financial administration, leadership, organisational and group process skills;
- A small number of mini-projects each year to provide NGOs with access to funds and thus, to build their capacity to implement projects;
- Development of associated projects with partners in the Grenadines.
For a summary of the project’s achievements click here.
For fuller details of how the project functioned click here to download our Project Overview.