1.1 Project Summary

The goal of this project is to enhance the environment of the community of Fond Cole.
One component is a proper garbage disposal collection area. At present, the region where the garbage is being pooled to be collected by the Dominica Solid Waste is very unsightly and poses a serious health hazard to the residents of the community and also contributes tremendously to pollution in the area.

Due to the unsanitary practices of the residents, this problem is seemingly escalating and in the end would prove to be detrimental to the community on a whole. Looking at the GEF/SGP Country Programme Strategy, and the rise of pollution in the country, implementation of this improved garbage collection will aide in decreasing pollution first beginning with the community and by extension the country in the long run as this project can be replicated in other communities.

As part of this waste disposal programme, the Committee will work in collaboration with and guided by the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation to implement waste separation at the source. This will be directly linked to support the plant nursery. The biodegradable material will be used for composting. This compost will be used in the plant nursery and excess can be sold to bring revenue to the Committee. The development of a plant nursery project will produce the much needed plants (medicinal, food and ornamental) in the area. This will create some employment and revenue for the Committee while providing a reliable supply of plants for community projects and for sale to the public.

The project seeks to address the land slippage and flooding that occurs at the back of the community centre, the only community building in Fond Cole, which is a multiple use building.

The estimated cost of this project is EC$80,073.00.or US$29,656.67.

1.2 Organizational Background and capacity to implement the project

The Fond Cole Improvement Committee is a community-based group, which is focused on the continued development of the community. The group?s main objective is community building through sustainable development; which in the end will lead to a thriving neighbourhood.

The Committee is a recognised body, known for a good track record of community mobilization/and projects. The history of Improvement Committees within the community stems for over forty (40) years, as improvement of the community has been the mainstay ideology. The present Committee has been in existence for over a year and has a long standing member who has served with many of the past committees for over a period of thirty (30) years.

The group has undertaken fund raising through various initiatives (fund raising projects) and has received grants and donations in support of the projects being undertaken. The group often conducts evaluations to find out the needs of the community. When a project is identified and being undertaken, the community is alerted of its significance and are educated therein and mobilised to participate fully.

One of the previous projects undertaken by the Committee was with funding from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) through collaboration with the Office for Disaster Management, the construction of a major drain in the upper vicinity of the community; which enabled the proper drainage of waste water that was a hazard for residents living in the lower region of the community. This drain helped in reducing the amount of run-of water which plagued the community often contributing to flooding with the end result being pollution, damage to crops and property and major soil erosion. The experience gained by FCIC in the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) funded project with close supervision and guidance of the local government department technical officer will be used in the implementation of this project.

1.3 Project Objectives and Expected Results

(1) The primary objective of the project would be to reduce the pollution volume in the community this would also decrease the occurrence of diseases spread by pests by 90% by the end of 2013 with a proper garbage collection incubator for managing waste.

This project will be done in collaboration with the Dominica Solid Waste Corporation in their venture to reduce pollution in every community and to significantly curb the spread of diseases.

(2) Another objective component of this project is to enhance the community through the development of a plant/nursery project. To produce of the much needed plants (medicinal, food and ornamental) for generating income for the Committee and among youth and for increasing food production and enhancement in the community and country.

The group will also link to another GEF SGP project; the One Million Hour tree planting initiative, to engage in organised tree planting activities.

(3) The last component is to construct a retaining wall and drainage to reduce impact of excess flood waters and erosion on the community centre. The centre is used for meetings, training, community activities, and hurricane shelter and needs some repairs.

Through the training and capacity building sessions and the experience that will be gained in the implementation of this project, on completion the committee should be a more organised and effective group, attracting more support.




1.4 Description of Project Activities

Activity 1
Awareness and Education
The FCIC will organise educational sessions to increase knowledge and understanding of environmental issues among group members and the wider community. Among topics areas for discussion ? climate change, land degradation, biodiversity.

The group will seek the support of key organisations and institutions both Government and non Governmental to serve as facilitators at these sessions. This will include Environmental Coordinating Unit (ECU), Dominica Organic Agricultural Movement (DOAM), Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), Environmental Health (EH), Office of Disaster Management (ODM) and the Metrological office.

The Committee will partner with the DSWMC to sensitise the community on the 3R?s programme and work closely to implement this system of separation of waste at source. This will also enable the collection of material for the composting programme. More sensitisations and awareness building activities will include community public meetings, flyers and posters with messages for best practices.

Activity 2
Training and capacity building
Areas of focus for training and capacity building will include ? composting, plant propagation, building of compost bins, landscaping. Committee members and other community leaders will receive some sessions in record keeping, monitoring and evaluation, writing reports and business skills. Resource persons from within the community will be engaged to facilitate at the session whenever possible.

Other facilitators will come from GEF SGP, Forestry Division, DOAM, Ministry of Agriculture and other organisations. At least one field study to another GEF SGP with similar type activities, such as the Calibishie Golden Age Group will be planned for members to observe the project and learn from the experiences of the group in Calibishie

The increased skills among members and other residents participating in the training programme will equip them to generate some income while contributing to an enhanced community with best practice in matters relating to the environment. The Committee will also be more capable of implementing successful products with required Monitoring and Evaluation and reporting.

Activity 3
Construction of planters and garbage collection incubators and plant propagation sheds
With the help of residents as a follow-up to the education and awareness programme, the planters, plant propagation shed and garbage collection incubators will be constructed. The Mahaut and Calibishie incubators will be used as models and modified. The incubators will be constructed at strategic points within the community appropriate notices and messages/slogans. Training and demonstration of the use of the bins for different types of waste will be ongoing with monitoring.

These structures will contribute significantly to proper management of solid waste and thus have a cleaner healthier community. These will be complemented with planting of trees and ornamental plants for beautification.

Villagers will be encouraged to adopt the planters and incubators, to serve as monitors and ensure proper use and upkeep. The plant propagation covered shed will be erected on the land adjacent to the Village Council office. The facility will be managed by the FCIC with responsibility for supervision assigned to members at various times .Through sales of plants and seedlings, the FCIC will earn some revenue that will go towards the operations and can contribute later to other projects. Plants for the community project to beautify and increase the vegetative cover on the sloping land will be produced in the propagation plant.





Activity 4
Drainage and retaining wall
To address the risk of flooding at the Fond Cole Community Centre which has been experienced frequently, there is need for a retaining wall and proper drainage. The committee will undertake responsibility to construct a retaining wall and associate drains at the back of the community hall.

People from within the community with the experience will be lead personnel engaged on that aspect of the project. Workers are expected to accept lower percentages of their regular wages as their contribution to the project. Some of the work will be done withvoluntary contributions from members and other skilled persons from the community. The FCIC will also approach the business houses in the area for some co-financing for this aspect of the project with discounts on purchased or donation of material. This will go towards the facelifting of the community centre to compliment the wall and drainage funded by GEF SGP.

Activity 5
Knowledge Management and Monitoring and Evaluation
The FCIC recognises the importance of keeping records and ongoing documentation of project activities. Monitoring of project progress will be done by the Project Monitoring Committee team of 3 members. Regular review meetings will be held. Progress of project and key activities will be documented before and after pictures, with education and best practice tips will be produced relevant recognition will be given to GEF SGP with signage at strategic locations