Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry pushing for continuation of Amerindian Development Fund
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, October 4, 2018
The Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) project will come to an end on December 31 this year. In this regard, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs is seeking ways through which the project, which started in 2014, could be continued.
This morning, the ministry commenced a three-day interactive session with stakeholders at Cara Lodge. Subject Minister Sydney Allicock said his ministry is looking for partnerships to extend the life of the project.
“In our planning, let us look at all the connectivity, all the areas and who will be the ones to help us to get the things that we need to make the second phase and the continuation a success.”
The minister said the economic advancement of Indigenous Communities hinges on the collective ability to make wise decisions on the management of the natural resources. He pointed out that ADF allows communities to identify their most valuable resources. It also allows the communities to explore how these can be utilised to yield positive outcomes.
United Nation Development Project’s (UNDP) country representative, Mikiko Tanaka said the businesses created out of the ADF should form part of the foundation of the village economies. It is also important, Tanaka noted, that villages receive all level of support.
The Amerindian Development Fund was established to provide support for the socio-economic development and environmental enhancement of Indigenous communities through the implementation of Community Development Plans. Each of the 186 communities, who qualified for the project were eligible for Micro-capital grants of $5Million each under the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIFF).
The ADF provides access to funding for community ventures aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial capacity of Indigenous villages, diversify their economy, create job opportunities and to reduce poverty. These community business ventures cover agricultural production, agro-processing village infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing, village business enterprise and transportation.
Alexis Rodney.
Images: DPI.