CLGF projects in the Americas
Through its programmes in the region, CLGF is strengthening its regional presence and working more closely with members to build on the success of past activities. Information about specific country activities and projects can be found on the country pages.
Strengthening local government’s role as a partner in development
Strengthening local government’s role as a partner in development
CLGF launched a new regional programme in the Caribbean in 2016 at a regional meeting, as part of our EU-funded work in the region, intended to strengthen the role of local government as a partner in development, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Caribbean.
The project involved pilot projects which were implemented at Council-level in Dominica, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago along thematic areas surrounding:
• Local Economic Development (LED) strategies to end poverty: SDG1 and promoting economic growth through productive employment: SDG8.
• Spatial planning supported by Information Technology: SDG11 with public access to information SDG16
• Sanitation: SDG6, Waste management and composting: SDG15 and SDG11
• Healthy lifestyles: SDG3 and responsible consumption SDG12
• Climate change adaptation with emphasis on building back better and disaster management: SDG13
• Access to public spaces particularly by the disabled, women and older persons; SDG11
In 2018 all Caribbean member countries, represented by their Local Government Associations, Councils and Ministries, met at a regional conference held in Trinidad and Tobago to share these experiences in localizing the SDGs. The conference highlighted the need for greater empowerment of local government to ensure the necessary skills, capacities and resources to enable them to take forward the SDGs, and relate them to the priorities of local communities. They identified local strategic planning as a key means to localizing the SDGs and integrating them into local and national development.
Caribbean Local Economic Development Project
The Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED) started in 2012 asa six-year project to develop and test models of Local Economic Development (LED) across the Caribbean. The project was implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, in partnership with CALGA, CFLGM and CLGF. The project worked in 24 communities in seven countries (Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago) to support local governments and agencies towards fostering sustainable local economic development in Caribbean communities through the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Since that iniative, LED has become a feature in Local Government policy and reform in Caribbean countries.