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Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean

ECPA                    

 



Participating Countries: All countries in Central America and the Caribbean

Financing: U.S. Department of State

Context: The imperative of building sustainable cities and communities in the hemisphere was first acknowledged during the First Summit on Sustainable Development in the Americas held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra in December 1996. In this context, a Plan of Action was released as one of the main outputs of this Summit. Since that time the Department of Sustainable Development of the Organization of American States (OAS-DSD) has been working with member states in four areas under the sustainable cities theme: economic development, housing, pollution prevention and environmental protection, and sustainable transport.

Objective: The project strengthens the capacity of NGOs and community associations in Central America and the Caribbean to build sustainable communities in the context of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA).

Description: Through the support of the U.S. Department of State, the DSD is implementing a small-grants program in Central America and the Caribbean. With the assistance from a technical review panel - made up of specialized agencies and NGOs with technical expertise in urban development - the DSD selected and funded the following project proposals from local NGOs and community associations of up to US$50,000 awarded on a competitive basis to support sustainable development at the community level.


Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency



N°
Institution
Country
Amount (USD)
Description
Proposal
Output
1
Dominican Republic
49,965

Provide technical assistance and capacity building to support and replicate a community-based highly participatory micro-hydroelectric initiative in the Dominican Republic
2
Guatemala
50,000
Reduce carbon emissions and indoor pollution from the use of wood through the implementation of organic waste biodigestion technology for the production of biogas, strengthen the productive use of organic composting and adopt sustainable environmental practices in the micro watersheds of Xeúl Canchel and Chibalám Chimachó.
3
Nicaragua
35,640

Reduce energy dependence on fossil fuels and vulnerability to severe and prolonged drought through the creation of a vegetable oil micro industry with capacity to produce 8,000 lt/year and by planting 24,000 plants of Jatropha curcas in already degraded land unsuitable for other crops.
4
Nicaragua
44,271
Install 30 stand alone Photovoltaic Systems for rural electrification of local communities in Las Jaguas, Orocuina and El espinal micro-watersheds and strengthen the capacities of key actors in the development of renewable energies through training in the use of specialized software with state of the art technology in the design of PV systems.

Resilience to Natural Hazards

N°
Institution
Country
Amount (USD)
Description
Proposal
Output
5
Guatemala
50,000
Reduce wildfire risk by strengthening capacities for integrated fire management in agricultural productive activities of two communities. Design and implement wildfire risk management protocols and early warning systems, create, equip and train two wildfire commissions at the community and municipal level in detection and immediate responses well as two community brigades.
6
Guatemala
50,000

Strengthen the capacity of indigenous communities to prevent and mitigate the risk of natural disasters in the Central Highlands of Guatemala focusing on their traditional knowledge for risk management, developing an early warning and response system and adopting sustainable productive practices as an adaptation effort to climate change.
7
St. Kitts and Nevis
50,000
Build community resilience to drought, flooding and other natural hazards in one community in each of Nevis' five parishes by implementing sustainable preventative practices to safeguard the communities from hazards and equip the local population with the knowledge and technical skills to prepare, respond to and minimize the fallouts from natural and human induced hazards.

Sustainable Transport Solutions


usgs

N° Institution Country Amount (USD) Description
Proposal
Output
8
Costa Rica
50,000
Contribute to the implementation of an alternative integrated urban transport system in the greater metropolitan area of Costa Rica by identifying opportunities and obstacles related to expanding the bicycle paths and the interconnection with the urban train. Contribute to the development of bicycle paths by installing infrastructure such as traffic signs and bicycle parking. Raise awareness within the local authorities to promote bicycle use.
9
St. Kitts and Nevis
50,000
Introduce Sustainable Transportation for St. Kitts-Nevis with the use of facilities for non-motorized modes in Basseterre City. Develop a database for transportation statistics to inform policy and forecast needs to avoid potentially costly mitigation measures. Formulate a Transportation Plan as an element of the General Plan Framework or Master Plan for the country and implementation framework for re-distribution of mode share, with emphasis on reducing traffic congestion, pollution, and cost to commuters.
10
Trinidad and Tobago
50,000
Comparatively analyze built and cultural heritage of five Caribbean cities (Willemstad, Paramaribo, Bridgetown, St. Georges and East Port-of-Spain), three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and one of which seeks that designation, for elements of smart urban design that decrease car use and encourage walking and cycling as well as potential to generate local economic development and serve as a model for new urban development.

Waste management, Recycling (including electronic waste) and Improved Water Resource Management


usgs

N° Institution Country Amount (USD) Description
Proposal
Output
11
Plenty International Belize Ltd
Belize
49,981.50
Support waste management efforts through education and alternative solid waste disposal heightening community awareness on the importance of reducing the environmental impacts of solid waste disposal while gathering data to identify diversified recycling and reuse methods beneficial for sustainable community development in Punta Gorda, Belize.
12
El Salvador
50,000
Formulate the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Strategy for Central America through a participatory approach and improve the environmentally sound management of WEEE in participating countries.
13
Grenada
50,000
Recycle certain waste streams including fish and other offals, brewer’s spent grain, market waste, restaurant and hotel food waste and crop waste to manufacture a protein product that will lower the cost of feeding poultry and significantly improve the livelihoods of Grenada’s farmers while avoiding putting noxious organic wastes in the local landfill and generating odor problems.
14
Honduras
49,994.86
Create a waste management system through a micro-enterprise model, creating jobs and opportunities for local residents. Make waste collection cost effective, accessible and financially sustainable. Develop an organic waste treatment plant for the Sensenti Valley region in the southwestern province of Ocotepeque, Honduras.

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