A significant part of the communications will be in the local language called Kwéyòl.
Replication of project activities
The activites could be duplicated for a similar community tourism project.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The project introduces for the first time a community showcase of products and services in an activity they have called Podwi Kannawi. They are using this economic activity as a means of mobilizing the entire community to action.
Notable Community Participation
The project will involve young people in diving to maintain a coral nursery in the Canaries Bay. Young people are also expected to get involved in the reforestation component of the project.
Linkages gef projects
There are no large GEF projects presentl or planner for the short term.
Capacity - Building Component
This project will help to determine the capacity needs of the group, which will be addressed during the Full Grant Phase.
Gender Focus
This will be determined and addressed during the next phase of the project.
Planning gef grant
To be determined.
Planning non gef grant
To be determined.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
To be developed during the Full Grant phase of the project.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
To be developed during this stage of the project and for implementation during the Full Grant Phase.
Project sustainability
Too early to detemine. A base has been established for long term development. Success will depend on the activites undertaken during the FG phase.
Policy Influence
Too early to determine.
Project Results
During the Planning Grant Phase the grantee decided not to pursue the preliminary rapid assessment for the establishment of the Canaries National Park, instead the decision was taken to focus on short term livelihood opportunities for the community. In pursuing this objective, the grantee organised an event called Podwe Kanhnawi, which was a one day event with music during which the community promoted and marketed local products. During that event the community all conducted a survey in which 39 local persons completed the survey questionnaire. The results revealed that the community preferred short term income generating activities because of the high poverty rate and desired to postpone the rapid assessment for the feasibility of the Canaries National Park.
The offshore coral nursery was partially completed; however, the continued maintenance of the site was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which strict protection protocols were in place. The community desires to combine this tour with a waterfall tour in the short term to generate income streams.
The grantee was able to partner with IICA to begin a vetiver project. The project is expected to yield significant results in the future.
Approximately 17 persons were employed with over US$1537 paid in wages.
4 persons (2 men and 2 women) were trained in coral nursery planting and management and vetiver planting.
Lessons learned: Included the following: (i) Community income activities should be planned and implemented on a regular basis to develop support and sustainability; (ii) Specialist trained persons in various areas like coral nursery management would have helped to speed up project implementation; (iii) In the absence of an established accounting system, much time was wasted to prepare reports and reconcile accounts. Such a system should be established at the commencement of the project; (iv) developing and sustaining healthy government relations are imperatives to ensure project support; and (v) a more diverse set of relationships with technical and donor agencies would have given the community more options for developing and implementing projects.
