One hundred and forty-eight hinterland communities have completed Phase Two of the Low Carbon Development Strategy’s (LCDS) Community Development Plan (CDP), resulting in the successful implementation of farming, aquaculture, mining, transportation and tourism projects, among others.
A Department of Public Information (DPI) release noted that within this phase of the project, 1,244 persons who hold a leadership role within their community, were trained on terminologies and concepts, financial accountability and management, and marketing and work plan preparation to assist in the management of their community business.
“All of these communities that are very far away from services, and other benefits in the country are being reached by all of these project activities. In that sense, I am very glad that is not only to comply with all needs but the promises that the Government of Guyana has committed itself,” said UNDP official Roberto Galvez, on the conclusion of this leg of the project.
It was further stated that he commended the government for aligning the initiative with the Sustainable Development Goals, as the initiative not only reinforces inclusion, but has resulted in the creation of 194 jobs and 387 part-time jobs.
The CDP, funded under the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), and implemented over a three-year period, aims to “strengthen the entrepreneurial and institutional capacities of the village economy of hinterland communities” and “improve linkages with the private sector to develop value chains and strengthen institutional frameworks to support local economies”, DPI noted.
It was related that the first phase of the project saw 26 villages being in receipt of disbursements to implement their respective CDPs, with $66 million being recorded from the success of businesses implemented under the project. It was further noted that 55% of the participants who were involved in the CDP’s preparation of implementation plans were women.
DPI reported that Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido Lowe, during the project’s closing workshop at the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) conference room on Thursday, expressed gratitude to the agencies involved in monitoring the project.
The release said she noted that “its success guarantees the Coalition Government’s commitment of the ‘Good Life’ for all” and furthermore, encouraged stakeholders to reach out to the ministry for assistance whenever needed, noting that communication is the key to continuing the project.
