Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED) June 2015 Update

CARILED receives approval for Fourth Year Annual Work Plan

Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques, Saint Lucia

The Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED) received approval for the implementation of its Annual Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2015 – 2016. This is the fourth year of operations for the project. The approval came from the 3rd Annual Meeting of the CARILED Project Steering Committee meeting in Saint Lucia held on May 15, 2015. The meeting also discussed Gender, the integration of Local Economic Development Officer (LEDO) positions within government, member organization activities, the evaluation of LED Development Projects (LDPs) and Progress Towards Outcomes. The PSC was preceded by a site visit by members to the Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques area, includinga visit to a former LED Development Project Group, as well as a potential new youth group. The PSC is made up of representatives from the Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministers (CFLGM), the Government of Canada through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Canada (DFATD), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the OECS Secretariat, the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA), the Caribbean Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (CASME), and CARILED’s implementing body, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

Jamaica Launches LED Support Program

Kingston, Jamaica

On May 7, 2015, the Social Development Commission (SDC) launched its Local Economic Development Support Program. The keynote address was delivered by The Honourable Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller with remarks given by The Honourable Noel Arscott, Minister of Local Government and Community Development. The LED Support Program is positioned to be an important contributor towards creating sustainable livelihoods in communities and helping to accelerate the pace of economic growth. The SDC developed the support program with components such as capacity building and leadership training, networking and building partnerships and implementation of an incentive scheme for community groups that are creatively involved in LED. Two CARILED funded projects were showcased at the event: the White Shop Agri-Bizz project from Clarendon and the Glengoffe Bamboo Charcoal project from St. Catherine. For more information on the LED Support Program, visit http://sdc.gov.jm/prime-minister-launches-local-economic-development-support-programme/.

Trinidad and Tobago hosts Community Development Forum

Photo courtesy Ministry of Community

Development, Trinidad and Tobago

On July 5, 2015, the Ministry of Community Development in Trinidad and Tobago will open its 2nd Biennial Community Development Partnership Forum (CDPF-II) that will run from July 6 – 8, 2015 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The conference theme “Community-based Entrepreneurships and Innovation: A Strategy for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will focus on agriculture, community tourism and entrepreneurship with participants from Trinidad and Tobago, as well as regional and international participants. CARILED is facilitating a delegation of 20 participants, including 11 speakers that will be sharing lessons learned from LED Development Projects in Belize, Guyana, Jamaica and Saint Lucia. The conference, fully hosted by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is expected to accommodate 300 participants, and wil be preceded by a Ministerial Caucus, inclusive of Ministers with responsibility for Local Government.

CARILED partners with Ministry of Communities in Guyana

In June 2015, CARILED Program Director Ms. Alix Yule met with The Honourable Minister Ronald Bulkan, of the Ministry of Communities in Guyana. The Ministry of Communities has responsibility for Local Government, Regional Development, Housing and Water, and will be CARILED’s new partner Ministry under the new administration. Ms. Yule also met with other stakeholders during her visit, along with Mr. Roger Rogers, National CARILED Coordinator for Guyana.

Belize City creates Local Economic Development Unit

The establishment of a Local Economic Development Unit (LED Unit) in Belize City on April 1, 2015 marked a significant landmark for Local Economic Development in Belize and the Caribbean Region. The LED Unit will seek to deliver LED services within the municipality of Belize City along with a support group within the City Council. On April 1, 2015 the Belize City Council established a joint economic development board or committee consisting of all the key ministries which provide support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Canadian Experts engage in LED Initiatives

Carriacou, Grenada

LED Strategic Planning expert, Marion Villanueva made a series of interventions in the three OECS countries to facilitate the completion of LED Strategic Plans from May 11 – 22. Ms. Villanueva, in partnership with CARILED OECS Sub-Regional Coordinator, Felix Finisterre, and Local Economic Development Officers, successfully completed the LSPs for Carriacou and Petite Martinique (Grenada, May 11- 15); Soufriere, Scotts-Head, Gallion and Woodford Hill (Dominica, May 18 – 22), and Fond St. Jacques, Soufriere (Saint Lucia, May 28). This mission officially concluded the work started in 2013 with these communities as pilot sites using methodology developed by CARILED for the Caribbean region.

San Ignacio Santa Elena, Belize

Belmopan, Belize

Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago

San Ignacio Santa Elena, Belize

Ms.Villanueva also conducted a one day training for District Development Officers (DDOs) in Dominica. For access to the LSP framework guide, visit http://cariled.org/catalog-items/led-planning-framework-and-guide/ On May 22, 2015, Chief Administrative Officer of MRC d’Argenteuil, Quebec Canada, Marc Carrière, visited the Belmopan City Council to discuss City Partnerships. Mayor Earl Trapp Jr. of San Ignacio Santa Elena, Belize and Mr. Carrière also discussed the evaluation of the Market Improvement Project as well as establishing city partnerships on May 18, 2015. Consultations were held with Belmopan, Belize municipal representatives and MSME owners on the Ease of Doing Business on the 26th of May, 2015 in Belmopan. Ease of Doing Business findings were presented to the City Council and the Private Sector on the 5th of June, 2015. The discussions were led by Canadian Consultant Franklyn Harvey, Ottawa, Ontario. On May 28, 2015, Ease of Doing Business consultations were also held in San Ignacio Santa Elena, Belize with municipal representatives and the private sector that highlighted challenges faced in conducting business within the municipality. A similar exercise was held in Belize City on June 1, 2015 with municipal staff and the Belize City Council. Mr. Philip Powell (Program Manager; Licensing, Permits & Markets: City of Ottawa, Canada) visited the Point Fortin Borough Corporation, Trinidad and Tobago from May 28 - June 1, 2015 to engage in an operational review of the Point Fortin Market. He later submitted the final Observations & Findings Report and a first draft of the Point Fortin Market Operational Policy Manual. Mr. Powell will follow up virtually with key Point Fortin Borough Corporation staff, council members and stakeholders in Q2 towards finalizing the Point Fortin Market Operational Policy Manual which will be implemented for the operations of the Point Fortin Market. On June 25 – 26, 2015, Mr. Walter Bernyck, representative from the Government of Canada, through Foreign Affairs Trade and Development, Canada (DFATD), visited the City of Belmopan, Belize City and the Twin Towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. During his visit he met with National CARILED Coordinator Leidi Urbina, as well as Mayors of the three municipalities to learn about LED, its impact on participating cities and town and CARILED’s work in particular.

Caribbean Events and Conferences

Belmopan, Belize

Clarendon, Jamaica

Belmopan, Belize

EODB Belize

The City of Belmopan hosted a Municipal Training Workshop on April 15 – 16, 2015 with Deputy Mayor Jacklyn Burns, Councillor in charge of Business Development, Ralston Frazer, and Keyla Magana, Local Economic Development Officer. The training was part of the overall approach to capacity development to strengthen local government authorities. The Second Meeting of the CARILED Technical Working Group was held in Kingston, Jamaica on April 28-29, 2015. The Technical Working Group first met in Q3 of FY 2014 – 2015, as a support mechanism for sharing feedback and input ito the overal LED approach in seven Caribbean countries. Country representatives from Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago were present, with Grenada submitting its apologies for absence. The TWG conducted a site visit to two LED Development Projects in Clarendon Jamaica, followed by a full day meeting. The meeting reviewed the Annual Work Plan FY 2015 – 2016 for CARILED, noted evaluations of LED Development Projects and discussed strategies for implementation of Phase 2 under the program. The recommendations of the Technical Working Group were submitted to the CARILED Project Steering Committee for their consideration during their annual budget meeting. In May 2015, CARILED, in partnership with the City of Belmopan, held a two day workshop on “Communicating LED Strategic Plans” for municipal practitioners and private sector representatives from Belmopan and San Ignacio Santa Elena in Belize. The workshop, officially opened by Mayor Khalid Belisle, was held at the YWCA office from May 5 – 6. The event was faciliated by Ms. Kizzann Lee Sam, Regional Program Manager, and included presentations of the LED Strategic Plans from the two municipalities. The implementation of the Public Communications Strategies for the LSPs will be coordinated by Ms. Keyla Magaña, Local Economic Development Officer, City of Belmopan, and Ms. Kelsie Gentle, Local Economic Development Officer, San Ignacio Santa Elena in partnership with other municipal team members. CARILED in partnership with the Ministry responsible for Local Government hosted and facilitated a Round Table discussion with national and international experts on the “Ease of doing Business”. This activity was aimed at identifying the legal mandate of the Local Authorities to enact bylaws that affect MSMEs; common barriers to MSME start up and expansion in municipalities; and finally, identifying possible solutions. The round table dialogue was held with a select group of national experts representing, local and central government, Beltraide, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other private sector representatives, on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina in Belize City.

Belmopan, Belize

Gros Islet, Saint Lucia

Gros Islet, Saint Lucia

CARILED personnel participated in LED awareness activities such as the Public Service Day held on the May, 28, 2015 at the City of Belmopan. LED Promotional material was shared with the public, including students from primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions. CARILED staff members and Keyla Magaña, Local Economic Development Officer, City of Belmopan supported the event. The Sixth Meeting of the Knowledge Management Working Group for Local Economic Development was held at the Gros Islet Town Council in Saint Lucia on June 10, 2015. The Knowledge Management Working Group on Local Economic Development (KMWG) is made up of representatives from seven Caribbean countries. The members are trained in Knowledge Management tools and techniques to capture, publish and disseminate findings on LED. CARILED will support the work of this regional body until 2017, as a key forum for Caribbean LED programming to: (i) promote the creation of evidence based policy proposals; (ii) guide and co-facilitate consultations and knowledge sharing events; and (iii) lead the communication of successes, lessons learned and best practices. Members of the KMWG also attended an Advanced Workshop on Urban Planning, facilitated by UNHabitat, a training session on Knowledge Attitudes and Behaviour Mapping, facilitated by PCI Media Impact, and the CUF5. For a summary report prepared by KMWG representatives, visit www.cariled.org. The Fifth Caribbean Urban Forum (CUF5) was held in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia from June 10 – 12, 2015. CARILED supported the attendance of a 17 person delegation to this regional knowledge sharing event that included 120 participants from the Caribbean and internationally. The CARILED delegation consisted of Mayors Winhall Joshua and Allison King from Vieux Fort and Gros Islet in Saint Lucia, City Administrator Dr. Geraldo Flowers from the City of Belmopan, Belize, seven Local Economic Development Officers from Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, and 7 staff. CARILED supported the event through the moderation of three panels on LED, four presenters on LED Development Projects supported under CARILED, and a Mayor’s roundtable under the Sustainability in Saint Lucia track. International and regional partners, practitioners and elected officials discussed potential collaboration in the areas of urban revitalization, Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals and sharing lessons learned. CUF 2016 will be held in Suriname.

International Events and Conferences

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Gaborone, Botswana

Gaborone Declaration, Botswana

Image source: UNDP ART Initiative @UNDP_ART

A delegation from CARILED attended the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Annual General Meeting, Conference and Trade Show, in Edmonton, Alberta from June 4 – 8, 2015 and a Study Program in Calgary, Alberta from June 9 – 13, 2015. The delegation included Alderman Aiknath Singh, Chairman of Princes Town Regional Corporation in Trinidad and Tobago, Honourable Mayor Khalid Belisle from the City of Belmopan in Belize, Ms. Stephannie Hutchinson, National CARILED Coordinator, Jamaica and Ms. Leidi Urbina, National CARILED Coordinator, Belize. They were accompanied by Ms. Alix Yule, CARILED Program Director and Mr. Philip Kelly, CARILED Program Manager. The delegates attended workshops, presentations and on-site visits related to various aspects of local/community economic development focusing on innovative approaches to increasing collaboration between municipal governments, community groups, educational institutions, community and economic development agencies and the private sector. Visits to learn about entrepreneur support programs, social enterprises, small business incubators, business revitalization zones and downtown revitalization projects were highlights, as well as a visit to the Rocky Mountains. Delegates included among their “take home” ideas the high level of engagement of so many varied stakeholders within the community and the role of the elected and administrative leaders in reaching out to the community and facilitating collaboration for community and economic development. The role of local leaders in supporting innovation, promoting entrepreneurship and removing barriers to development was also noted, as was the role of local government associations in influencing national policy and advancing the development agenda. For FCM AGM Conference highlights, visit http://www.fcm.ca/home/events/past-conferences/2015-annual-conference-and-trade-show.htm. The Commonwealth Local Government Forum celebrated its 20th anniversary at the hosting of its Commonwealth Local Government Conference in Garborone, Botswana from June 17 – 19, 2015. The theme of the international conference was Local Government 2030: Achieving the Vision. Topics included cities as engines of growth and innovation, connecting urban, peri-urban and rural areas through development planning, the role of LED in ensuring sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, mobilising financial resources domestically and internationally, using ICT to stimulate local economies, and inclusive local government, involving women and young people to achieve the SDGs, among others. CARILED was represented by Vice Chief Executive Officer, Tim Kehoe at both the Research Colloquium and main confernce, as well as CARILED Project Steering Committee members Mayor Darrell Bradley, of Belize City, Belize, and Councillor Phillip Mc Phee of Eleutheria, The Bahamas. To review the Gaborone Declaration from the conference, visit http://www.clgf.org.uk/userfiles/1/file/Resources/Statements/CLGC2015%20gaborone%20declaration%20final.pdf

MRC d’Argenteuil, Quebec

Federation of Canadian Municipality MRC d’Argenteuil, Quebec, hosted a Study Program for a municipal delegation from Belize from from June 22 to 26, 2015. The delegates were from San Ignacio Santa Elena and Belmopan in Belize, and funded under the CARILED program. The study program focused on the use and application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), as well as the importance of spatial planning, and consequently, Local Economic Development planning. For more information on the program, visit http://www.argenteuil.qc.ca/database/Image_usager/2/Administration/Communiqu%C3%A9%20CARILED%20D%C3%A9l%C3%A9gation%202015_EN.pdf.

Local Development Project (LDP) Updates

For Q1 (April 01 – June 30, 2015), CARILED evaluated its assistance to six projects. These projects were assessed by a team consisting of a Canadian Volunteer and a CARILED staff member or local resource person. The recommendations from the evaluations will be used to determine the way forward for these projects and will also be used to help replicate LED successes within the Caribbean region. The projects evaluated included:

- San Ignacio Farmers Market Improvement Project (Evaluation Team: Marc Carrière, Volunteer - MRC d’Argenteuil, Quebec; Natalia Ramdoo, Project Officer, CARILED)

- ICT Bridge Project (Evaluation Team: Neil Carbone, Volunteer – Prince Edward County, Ontario; Kizzann Lee Sam, Regional Program Manager, CARILED)

- Cecil Charlton Park Project, Manchester, Jamaica (Evaluation Team: David Milne, Volunteer - Osoyoos, British Columbia; Leidi Urbina, National CARILED Coordinator, Belize)

- Mocho Greenhouse Project, Clarendon, Jamaica (Evaluation Team: Megan Dykeman, Volunteer - Langley, British Columbia; Jeffrey Brathwaite-Izzaak, Consultant - Grenada)

- White Shop Agri-Bizz Project, Clarendon, Jamaica (Evaluation Team: Megan Dykeman, Volunteer - Langley, British Columbia; Jeffrey Brathwaite-Izzaak, Consultant - Grenada)

- Riverton Recycling Project, Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation, Jamaica (Evaluation Team: Merlin Dewing, Volunteer – Prince Edward County, Ontario; Natalia Ramdoo, Project Officer, CARILED)

At the close of Q1 (June 30, 2015), CARILED successfully completed its involvement in 20 projects. CARILED continues to provide support to 14 projects.

Clarendon, Jamaica

Agriculture & Agro-Processing The Woodford Hill, Dominica Small Ruminants Project is 95% completed with 24 goats procured and distributed to 8 participating farmers who have pens and water systems in place. The project is projected for completion in Q2. Outstanding activities include completion of fencing and procurement of rabbits for farmers. The Mocho Greenhouse and White Shop Agri-Bizz projects were formally launched in the Parish of Clarendon, Jamaica on May 21, 2015. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Noel Arscott underscored that “LED is the way to go”, and encouraged members of the community to engage in more economic activities at the community level. Kelly Thompson, First Secretary (Development), Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Canada, lauded the teams for the work carried out to make the projects a reality.

Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago

Belize City, Belize

Business Support, ICT & Other Services

The Princes Town Regional Corporation, Trinidad and Tobago is in the process of introducing a Business Improvement Area (BIA) pilot site in Princes Town, as part of LED inititiaves in that municipality. Mr. Terrence Gopaul, Landscaper Jason Teeluck and Mr. Sean Sooknanan gave short presentations on the conceptual designs for buildings within the BIA pilot site and discussed possible changes with Canadian volunteer Tom Coke, Prince Edward County, Ontario. The Princes Town Chief Executive Officer, Chairman, Councillors, LEDO, businessmen, and a Ministry of Local Government representative will partner towards an installation date of July 24, 2015 for a revised commerical area. The sixth BIA meeting for Princes Town is carded for July 22, 2015. Consultations for the creation of a Business Improvement Area also took place in Belize City, Belize from April 11 - 18, 2015. Business support workshops and training in Belmopan and San Ignacio Santa Elena, also took place during this period. Canadian Volunteer, David Milne, (June 15 – 27) undertook a 10 day mission in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia assisting the Gros Islet Development Partnership with prioritizing, costing and identifying potential funding sources for the 8 – 9 projects identified in its LED Strategic Plan. Three projects were selected by the Partnership for immediate implementation.

Belmopan, Belize

SISE, Belize

Belize City, Belize

Hospitality & Tourism On May 21, 2015, 105 staff personnel from the Belmopan City Council, Belmopan, Belize graduated from the Customer Service Training facilitated by the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC). The SBDC, under BELTRAIDE, is a partner organization for the LED programs in Belize. The staff training was funded by CARILED. In San Ignacio Santa Elena, Belize, the members of LED Strategic Planning Team visited the Sandy Bay Area accompanied by local historian, Mr. Hector Silva on April 11, 2015. The visit was part of the River Bank Enhancement Project, to agree to new uses and functions for the space, that will support local economic development. On April 22, 2015, the Belize City Council, Belize City, Belize, in collaboration with Belize's National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) launched several initiatives at the BTL Park in Belize City, including display panels that highlighted the history of the park. The BTL Park was officially opened as an open space initiative to promote and foster micro and small businesses and community engagement.

Southwest LED supports female entrepreneurs

Point Fortin, Trinidad and Tobago

The Southwest LED Project of the Trade and Economic Development Unit (TEDU), University of the West Indies, St. Augustine in collaboration with Network of Rural Women Producers Trinidad and Tobago hosted a seminar in June, 2015, entitled, “Supporting and Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in the Southwest Peninsula.” The speakers included Ms. Jillian Quashie, LEDO Point Fortin, Trinidad and Tobago, who presented on her role within the municipality and her LED responsibilities. Ms. Quashie had one on one sessions with the female entrepreneurs and advised them on business development services provided by the Point Fortin Borough Corporation.

CARILED Staff Updates

The CARILED Team welcomed Ms. Noris Tochon-Farah as Program and Administrative Assistant at the CARILED Headquarters. New Local Economic Development Officers or counterparts were hired in Dominica, Grenada, Guyana and Saint Lucia. These included Ms. Vincienne George, Ms. Vinisha Cudjoe, and Mr. Steve Mangal, Local Economic Development Officers in Dominica (Soufriere-Scott’s Head-Gallion and Woodford Hill), Grenada (Carriacou and Petite Martinique) and Guyana (Region 3) respectively, and Social Transformation Officers Miguel Trim (Gros Islet) and Darnally Estava (Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques) in Saint Lucia. The team bade farewell to Ms. Takiyah De Four (Regional Program Manager), Ms. Carianne Johnson (Program Officer) and Ms. Khrystal Lucien (Local Economic Development Officer, Saint Lucia) this quarter, and wishes them the best in their future endeavours.

Upcoming Activities

Activity Location Date(s)

Gender & MSMEs Webinar (Trinidad & Tobago) Virtual July 2, 2015

CDPF II Trinidad and Tobago July 5 – 8, 2015

CARILED Staff and Local Economic Development Officer Listing CARILED Headquarters Ms. Alix Yule, Program Director Programs Ms. Sheena Balkaran, Program and Administrative Assistant Mr. Olaf Fontenelle, Regional Program Manager Ms. Kizzann Lee Sam, Manager, Regional Program Manager (Knowledge & Communications) Ms. Natalia Ramdoo, Project Officer Ms. Noris Tochon-Farah, Program and Administrative Assistant

Finance & Operations Ms. Susan Andrews-Kent, Administrative Assistant and Receptionist Ms. Rachel Hunte, Finance Officer Ms. Patrice Stephen, Accountant

Ottawa Office Mr. Philip Kelly, Program Manager Ms. Huguette Labrosse, Finance and Operations Manager Ms. Petronila Michael, Program Assistant

CARILED OECS Sub-Regional Office Mr. Felix Finisterre, CARILED OECS Sub-Regional Office Coordinator Ms. Paula Fitz, Accounts and Administrative Assistant

Country Staff Belize Ms. Leidi Urbina, National CARILED Coordinator Ms. Jasmin Peralta, Accounts and Administrative Assistant Guyana Mr. Roger Rogers, National CARILED Coordinator Ms. Charishma Persaud, Accounts and Administrative Assistant Jamaica Ms. Stephannie Hutchinson, National CARILED Coordinator Ms. Hannah Wright, Accounts and Administrative Assistant Local Economic Development Teams Belize Ms. Barbara Elrington, Local Economic Development Manager, Belize City Ms. Keyla Magaña, Local Economic Development Officer, Belmopan Ms. Kelsie Gentle, Local Economic Development Officer, San Ignacio Dominica Ms. Vincienne George, Local Economic Development Officer, (Soufriere-Scott’s Head-Gallion and Woodford Hill) Grenada Ms. Vinisha Cudjoe, Local Economic Development Officer, Carriacou and Petite Martinique Guyana Mr. Vrishaal Garbaran, Local Economic Development Officer, Region 2 Mr. Steve Mangal , Local Economic Development Officer, Region 3 Mr. Clevroy Thomas, Local Economic Development Officer, Region 4 Mr. Satya Dayaram, Local Economic Development Officer, Region 6 Jamaica Mr. Damion Young, Local Economic Development Officer, Clarendon Mr. Algernor Thompson, Local Economic Development Officer, Kingston and St. Andrew Ms. Angella Edwards, Local Economic Development Officer, Manchester, Jamaica Mr. Jason Cespedies, Local Economic Development Officer, Portmore Mr. Vance Wilson, Local Economic Development Officer, St. Catherine Saint Lucia Mr. Miguel Trim (Gros Islet) Ms. Darnally Estava (Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques)

CARILED Headquarters #14 Rookery Nook, Maraval, Trinidad and Tobago

1-868-628-6420 cariled@fcm.ca www.cariled.org

@CARILED_Belize @CARILED_OECS @CARILED_Guyana @CARILED_Jamaica @CARILED_TT

The Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED) is undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada, through

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada