A significant portion of the populace of St. Ann and St. Mary gain employment in the hotel and tourism sector; however, wages are usually low and the turnover rate high. Others try to eke out a living by become involved in the craft trade; however, often there are more sellers than buyers. There are many itinerant vendors along the streets of the towns. These vendors peddle all sorts of items, including food items and some can be very aggressive at times. There are also beggars along the streets, at plazas and intersections. Some of these beggars are healthy, strong individuals who should be gainfully employed. Notwithstanding these professional beggars; there are persons who are disabled, some mentally retarded and others destitute. These genuinely impoverished persons have ended up on the street because they have nowhere else to live. Notable too, the phenomenon of windshield wipers at intersections have ?migrated? from Kingston to the urban centres in the target area. Also, of note is the fact that an informal survey of the region, confirmed an aging population, indicating that issues affecting the elderly must be addressed.

The geographical boundaries of the project to Strengthen Community Resilience through Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and Social Inclusion, includes eight (8) communities with a population of () in the urban centres of Ocho Rios and St. Ann?s Bay as well as rural areas ranging from Priory, St. Ann and its environs to the west; Claremont and Moneague, St. Ann and their environs to the south; and Richmond and Stewart Town, St. Mary and their environs to the East.

It is very evident that development must include the sustainable use of natural resources, protection of the natural environment and social inclusion. There must be renewed focus on ways benefits can be derived from the opportunities that the natural environment and environmental sustainability can provide, which can enhance the resilience and inclusiveness of persons within the target area. There is also a need to create viable and socially stable urban cent and rural areas. Strategies must be implemented to educate persons about the use of renewable energy such as wind and solar to reduce greenhouse pollution as well as alternatives to replace cutting of trees for firewood and coal to help mitigate climate change.

The project will address issues related to climate change, improper land use such as poor farming practices, cutting of trees in the forest, which lead to land degradation and flooding thus severely impacting the watersheds. Also, issues of social inclusion, ?youth-at-risk? and the elderly. These environmental issues have existed over an extended period; but have worsened in recent times due to issues such as ?the greenhouse effect?, increased ?pressure? on land use to eke out a livelihood and the marginalization of more persons within the population of the target area.

The primary objective of this project is to strengthen Community Resilience through Sustainable Management of Natural Resources focusing on Social Inclusion of ?at risk youths? and the elderly. The expected results will generate global environmental benefits through the GEF SGP Focal areas of Climate Change Mitigation, Land Degradation and Sustainable Forest Management (SI: Innovative Climate-Smart Agro-Ecology (ICSA), and Social inclusion (gender, youth, indigenous peoples). The project will also impact Vision 2030 Goals # 3 & 4 National Outcomes & Sustainable Development Goals: (Energy Security and Efficiency, Sustainable Management & Use of Environmental & Natural Resources and Sustainable Urban and Rural Development).

Expected Results/Outcomes:
1. A more resilient, less vulnerable community with increased capacity in Environmental Management and disaster risk management
2. Improved Land Management through reforestation and sustainable agricultural practices
3. Enhance Community livelihoods through eco-tourism opportunities to include construction of eco-friendly cabins.