The Market Access and Rural Enterprise Development Programme (MAREP) has selected nine (9) organizations to access the Rural Investment Fund (RIF) and implement projects in six (6) of its target communities; River Sallee, Mt. Craven, Mt. Rich, Clozier, Florida, La Tante and New Hampshire.
$650,000.00 ECD in grant will be disbursed to nine (9) Community Organizations in the first phase. The organizations are;
River Sallee Father’s Organization
Mt Craven /Mt Rodney Disaster Environmental Preparedness Mitigation Organization
Mt. Rich Youth Cultural Environmental Developmental Organization
Mt. Craven/Mt. Rodney Women’s Organization
Clozier Development Committee
River Sallee Women’s Organization
La Tante Development Organization
North East Farmer Organization
Florida All Stars
Five (5) projects were approved under the Social Window; Rehabilitation of ‘Malaria’ drain, Solar lighting of a playing field, Fencing and Solar lighting of Community Center grounds, training in Steel Pan Tuning and construction of Bathroom facility and Restoration of Information Center at Historical Relic. Four (4) projects were approved under the Enterprise Window; Manufacturing of wet seasoning and sauces, Development of Tourist Trail and Information Center, Production of Organic Fertilizer and Manufacturing of local Fruit Juices.
The objective of the RIF is to empower local communities, Community Organizations and Producers’ Groups by strengthening social capital and increasing income through implemented projects focusing on poverty reduction strategies.
MAREP is pleased to have reached this stage of implementation in the program. Organizations are now poised to begin their projects geared to reducing poverty and vulnerability in their respective communities.