In November 2023, the Caribbean office of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum signed a contract with the EU Delegation in Barbados for a 34-month initiative entitled Connecting Civil Society and Local Authorities for Sustainable Development through Community Engagement and Enhancing Vocational Education.

Supporting more inclusive societies

The contract worth 450,000 EUROS is to be implemented at sub-national level in Barbuda (Antigua & Barbuda), Nevis (St Kitts & Nevis) Carriacou & Petite Martinique (Grenada), and Micou South (St Lucia). CLGF’s proposal was in response to an EU call for proposal under the theme: Supporting more inclusive societies in the Eastern Caribbean.

The project is scheduled to start in January 2024 and  will involve:

i)    Fostering an institutionalised relationship within existing governance systems between Civil Society and sub-national Local Government authorities, to include community engagement in public service delivery and decision-making: in developing the architecture for enhancing participatory democracy and promoting good local governance, capitalising on community spiritedness that exists in Caribbean societies

ii)   Providing a framework for augmenting vocational and technical trade skills education in preparing non-academic youths (Ages 13-18) for decent work and school-to-work transitioning: in supporting efforts to mainstream practical skills education and talents into formal education, emphasising needs and relevance.

iii)   Promoting entrepreneurship, income generation, and local production and consumption of goods, skills and talents to protect and nurture micro and small enterprises: in advancing local economic development in the face of economic hardships/ external shocks exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic, increasing food prices, shrinking foreign exchange, and the impact of climate change on small island states.

iv)   Using information technology for interfacing and sharing experiences amongst students, teachers, Local authorities and stakeholders participating in the project.

CLGF's Regional Manager in the Caribbean, Ms Sandra Singh, said: "We are delighted to be working with the EU on this exciting and important project in four countries of the Caribbean, particularly with such a strong emphasis on the community. Raising awareness and educating more people about these issues will lead to more effective resilience."