A break-even analysis will be undertaken for the trail to determine the baseline income and a projection will be made for the future. We expect to see an improvement in the future.
A thorough capacity assessment will be undertaken during this PG phase which will help to design interventions for the FG phase.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
Not applicable at the PG stage.
Policy Influence
Recommendations were made to move the site to one managed by the community, in which they became the EMPLOYERS and not remain as EMPLOYEES. When approved and implemented, it will signal a major policy change in Community Based Tourism in Soufriere specifically, which could also influence national policy.
Policy Impact
The Governance Structure and Systems will be redesigned to facilitate greater inclusiveness. This management structure must be approved by the relevant department(s) of Government.
Replication of project activities
The PG was approved to prepare a Baseline Study on the social, economic, environmental and management conditions. This study should be replicated for similar sites because it gave an excellent situational analysis for future planning and strategizing.
Project sustainability
The level of revenue earned by the Care-Taker Managers without reinvesting in the community, is a clear indication of the financial viability of the site. This project will improve the sustainability of the project by building the capacity of the community to plan for and manage a major site within the Pitons Management Area World Heritage Site.
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
The second language of Saint Lucia will be used for effective communications.
Notable Community Participation
This project is driven by the younger members of the community working with an international photographer who has been accepted as a mentor. We expect that during this PG phase there will be a greater outreach to the larger community and young people.
Gender Focus
This project will help to improve gender equity by involving more persons in the decision making process. The system established will ensure that all persons will have a chance to benefit.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Through community meetings, workshops and one and one contacts.
Planning gef grant
To be determined after the FG stage.
Planning non gef grant
To be determined after the Full Grant phase of the project.
Linkages gef projects
To be determined during implementation of the FG project.
Project Results
This PG has met its main goal, id est, to establish the baseline conditions for the host community and the resource. The following report was the major product and output: Sylvester Clauzel, Charmaine Charles and Sherell James (2018) Establishing the Baseline Social, Economic, Environmental and Management Conditions at the Fond Gens Libre Community and Gros Piton Nature Trail (A report prepared for the Fond Gens Libre Community Development Committee and funded by the GEF SGP UNDP).
This report noted that though the Soufriere Regional Development Committee (SRDF) was doing a good job in managing the tour guides and tours to the area, as Care-Taker, it had relegated the community to employees when their rightful position should be that of EMPLOYER. The report also noted that most of the revenue obtained was exported out of the site and insufficient was invested in the community to improve the quality of life of the people of Fond Gens Libre.
It is with these observations in mind, that the report recommended the need for the Care-Taker arrangement to end and for all stakeholders to come together to create a new management structure which empowers the community as MANAGER AND EMPLOYER. The report recommends a transition phase.
It is widely believed with continued MENTORING the community of Fond Gens Libre will rise to the challenges and become a demonstration site that is co-managed with all other stakeholders.
The following are considered the main outputs of the PG: (i) The baseline conditions are known and has formed the foundation for planning the future and preparing the FULL GRANT for the next stage of development; and (ii) The Community has a much clearer vision of the way forward, which is informing the development of the next stage of the project cycle.
At the economic level, 8 persons (3 men and 5 women) were employed during project implementation and earned a total of U$$5319.00 (US$1937 by women and US$12,425 by men).
There were no capacity development activities during this stage, however, community members went through an experiential process of convening meetings, taking minutes and visioning.
