Spotlight from IAF-USAID Joint Initiative for Caribbean Resilience

In 2020, the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) launched a $5 million joint initiativewith the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) called "Building Community Resilience in the Eastern & Southern Caribbean," to bolster community-led disaster preparedness. Over the past four years, IAF and USAID leveraged our joint resources to channel flexible funding directly to grassroots organizations to strengthen the resilience of some of the communities most vulnerable to natural disasters in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

"Building Community Resilience in the Eastern & Southern Caribbean" has produced outstanding results. Here, we spotlight just oneof the 17 grantee organizations it funded-Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund (SLUNCF). SLUNCF has been helping smaller, more grassroots community organizations (like the four profiled in this blog) to expand their impact with financial and technical support. SLUNCF strengthens organizations' operational systems by providing training and peer coordination in financial management, project design, and administration.

Empowering Beekeepers with Disabilities in St. Lucia

In St. Lucia, farmers with disabilities have transformed their lives by undertaking dedicated efforts and strategic partnerships to form the Farmers with Disabilities Beekeeping Association. Beginning modestly with five hives, the initiative has grown into a thriving enterprise with 22 hives, showcasing resilience and growth. The farm has expanded to include sweet potato cultivation, diversifying agricultural activities, and securing sustainable livelihoods.

Effective proposal writing and community support have been pivotal in their journey, allowing them to set up crucial infrastructure like a honey extraction unit with storage. Membership has flourished, encompassing 30 dedicated individuals who engage civically and participate in training, with youth actively involved in intergenerational empowerment. An IAF-USAID grant has been instrumental in extending their infrastructure and procuring additional hives, enabling the organization to overcome funding setbacks and demonstrate adaptability.

As the project nears its conclusion, the Farmers with Disabilities Beekeeping Association celebrates its achievements and the extension of its facilities, epitomizing the spirit of perseverance and community empowerment. Their journey is a testament to the transformative power of collective action and resilience in building a brighter future for all in St. Lucia.

Youth on Fire Movement: Celebrating 20 Years of Empowerment

In the coastal community of Anse La Raye, St. Lucia, the Youth on Fire Movement is marking its 20th anniversary with a legacy of empowerment and innovation, with 45 passionate first- and second-generation members. This organization has been preserving cultural heritage and fostering economic opportunities by documenting traditional processes for producing castor and coconut oils. Its ambitious project aims to integrate school training and establish an export market within five years, despite challenges like high customs clearance prices and seed scarcity for castor oil production.

IAF and USAID's support enabled Youth on Fire Movement to purchase a drone, camera, furniture, and an oil press, enabling them to turn their vision into reality. Beyond economic endeavors, the organization addresses community issues like academic enrichment through after school literacy programs, demonstrating the power of grassroots initiatives to drive positive change.

As it prepares to launch their products, the Youth on Fire Movement stands as a testament to the resilience and unwavering spirit of its members, committed to building a brighter future for Anse La Raye and beyond.

Country Strikers Youth and Sports Council: Empowering Single Mothers

For three decades, the Country Strikers Youth and Sports Council has been a beacon of hope and empowerment in the Laborie community. Its latest endeavor-a greenhouse project-focuses on empowering single mothers by providing quality seedlings and additional support to cultivate backyard gardens. This initiative will not only improve food security but also create income-generating opportunities, with proceeds supporting children's education.

Currently serving mothers aged 21 to 35, the organization's impact extends beyond individual households, fostering community-wide agricultural development by selling seeds and supporting planting in new plots. Despite challenges like limited access to industrial water pumps, the organization remains undeterred, leveraging an IAF-USAID grant to build essential infrastructure, such as a nursery and storage shed to facilitate their work on backyard gardens. They aspire to expand into hydroponics, enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. Single mothers participating in the program have been able to cultivate enough fruit and vegetables to diversify their families' diets and sell the surplus for additional income. Beyond the greenhouse project, the Country Strikers Youth and Sports Council continues to drive community development through innovative programming, including an agriculture-based summer camp for youth aged 6 to 18 years.

As they celebrate their 30th anniversary, the organization exemplifies the power of grassroots initiatives to uplift and empower communities, creating a brighter future for generations to come.

Empowering Women in Sea Moss Cultivation

In the coastal community of Praslin, a group of determined women is transforming sea moss cultivation with innovative approaches and community-driven efforts. Supported by an IAF-USAID grant, the Praslin Community Women in Sea Moss have acquired essential resources for their venture, including ropes for planting sea moss, wetsuits for protection, and signage for visibility. They have also managed to establish a small recreational park.

Starting with only nine members, the group has grown to 17 dedicated individuals aged 12 to 55 years. Their efforts include developing a scenic trail to the beach to attract tourism and cleaning up the beach for sea moss drying, creating a welcoming environment for locals and tourists. As they continue to enhance their infrastructure and market their products derived from sea moss, the Praslin Community Women in Sea Moss exemplify the power of collaboration and resilience in driving positive change.

These examples illustrate the multiplier effect of the joint initiative by IAF and USAID in providing Caribbean communities with resources to prepare for and recover from natural disasters. This interagency partnership leveraged the strengths of the IAF and USAID as well as the community organizations with whom we partnered to reach those most exposed to disaster risk, fostering resilience, innovation, and sustainable development across the region.

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