| (CREAD) -Technical assistance of USD400,000 was secured from the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility for a Kalinago Territory and Dominica Essential Oils & Spices Cooperative (DEOSC) Cluster Community Based Tourism project. Dominica was fortunate to have its project chosen, as one of the three successful projects from a field of six. Submissions were made to an Investment panel comprising regional industry experts assembled by Compete Caribbean. Mr. Louis Hill (Nichie Abo) of the Kalinago Council presented the project to the panel on behalf of the Team and answered questions from the panel. CREAD was pleased to have provided support to the successful realization of this Project including in drafting the initial proposal on behalf of DEOSC and later when it was merged with the Kalinago Territory Project, which had similar objectives. CREAD views this as an opportunity to share its technical expertise in supporting projects that champion the diversification of our economy. We were delighted to partner with the Ministry of Tourism, the Kalinago Council, and the DEOSC to secure a successful outcome. The funds will help support a sustainable approach to tourism development in the local communities. There are 24 businesses within the Kalinago community with 16 of these being owned and managed by women. There is a total employment of over 200 people, 60% of whom are women. The DEOSC has 564 active members, more than half of which are women, located in various rural communities, primarily in Southeastern Dominica, and engages in the cultivation of bay leaves and spices. On implementation, the project will benefit the targeted communities by creating more employment while helping to sustain the livelihoods of residents who are highly dependent on the tourism sector. |
