As a result of the security issues associated with the project. the grantee must be careful in the manner which they begin public awareness and education. A community Leatherback Football Competition will be organized to help commence their public awareness programme.
Gender Focus
Not applicable at the Planning Grant Phase.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
Not applicable at the Planning Grant Stage.
Policy Impact
Not applicable at the Planning Grant Stage.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Not applicable at the Planning Grant Stage.
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
Not applicable.
Capacity - Building Component
The Des Barras Sea Turtle Watch Group needs significant assistance in building their capacity to a level where they can manage the marine reserve, protect the turtles and develop a sustainable livelihood programme. A facilitator will be hired to take the group through a reflection process and a capacity development plan will be developed for implementation during the Full Grant Phase.
Notable Community Participation
There was a high level of group member participation in the design of the project but very little public consultation. During this phase of the project, more extensive consultations will be held as a means of establishing a stakeholder management committee.
Linkages gef projects
There will be linkages with the recently approved Big GEF project for the north-east coast of Saint Lucia - Iyanola Project which is supported by UNEP.
Project sustainability
To be determined after the Full Grant project implementation.
Replication of project activities
To be determined after the implementation of the Full Grant.
Planning gef grant
To be determined.
Planning non gef grant
To be determined.
Project Results
The Des Barras Sea Turtle Watch Group was awarded a PG to help diagnose its capacity and capability deficiencies, to develop a long term strategy for addressing the continued slaughtering of Leatherback Turtles in the Grand Anse Marine Reserve, and to prepare a FG proposal for addressing the issues identified for priority attention. The PG enabled the group to hire two consultants/facilitators who were able to produce a Diagnostic Study, a Capacity Development Plan and a FG project proposal.
The grantee was very committed to this project as one which could protect an endangered species, create employment and a significant income stream for the community. In 2009, prior to the decline in the management of the marine reserve by the group, a gross income of XCD$28,063 (US$10,394) was made from tours organized for local and international visitors (tourists).
The Diagnostic Study Report identified the main issues as follows: (i) only a fair understanding of the marketplace; (ii) absence of records and a database; (iii) tour guides with knowledge of the resources but who needed some skills development; (iv) a lack of variety in the tour package for increasing the income to the community; (v) the absence of a visitor feedback system. The study made ten (10) recommendations as follows: (i) the establishment of an effective management structure based on good governance principles; (ii) the preparation of a Standard Operating Procedures Manual; (iii) the establishment of a Mentoring Programme to assist the group as it evolves; (iv) A Simple Marketing Plan; (v) Quality Management Plan; (vi) a Strategic Plan which clearly identifies the group?s shared values; (vii) the training and development of effective leaders; (viii) training in a variety of areas; (ix) the more extensive use of social media and the development of a website; and (x) the development and implementation of a Communications Plan.
The Capacity Development Plan produced a capacity development plan matrix with the following areas of focus:
(i) Human Capacity Development - professional manager; public relations and advocacy; trainer development; dispute resolution and negotiations; and activity/event planning.
(ii) Organisational Capacity Development - leadership/governance; establishing standard operating procedures; record keeping; strategic and business planning; quality management systems implementation; networking and communications; resource acquisition; and project development, management, monitoring and evaluation.
(iii) Community Capacity Development: youth entrepreneurship training; tour guide training; and confidence building and a sense of ownership.
Economic Impact: This project employed seven (7) persons of which 4 were women and 3 were men. The total salary paid to these persons was XCD$11,280 (US$4178) of which XCD$5,468.00 (US$2,025) was paid to women and XCD$5,812 (US$2153) was paid to men.
Capacity Development: Two persons (men) were trained in record keeping and proposal development.
The FG proposal was produced and submitted to the NSC for review and it was approved.
