In June 2012, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) approved the development of a project on ‘Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago’ worth US$2.79 million, to cover this biodiversity focal area. A project preparation grant of US$119,000 was subsequently approved in September 2012. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been given the lead to develop the project document by August 2013, in collaboration with relevant departments in Trinidad and Tobago and in consultation with diverse stakeholders, for submitting to GEF for endorsement.
The project’s Inception Workshop was held during October 31 to November 01, 2012 at Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Centre in Couva, and was the first step in a series of consultations with relevant stakeholders. The workshop was geared at creating awareness among national stakeholders about the project, and soliciting their feedback to assist in designing the project.
Senator the Honourable Mr Ganga Singh, Minister of Environment and Water Resources delivered the keynote speech at the event, welcoming stakeholders and inviting their valuable input in the event’s proceedings. Approximately 125 participants were informed through presentations on various technical aspects of the project at this workshop. Stakeholders also actively participated in several group discussions, focusing on the project components and project preparation activities. The comments and contributions at these groups were then recorded and will be useful for planning various project activities and collecting the baseline data needed for preparing the project document.
Relevant outcomes of the deliberations are summarised in the Inception Workshop Report below. The presentations delivered at the Workshop have also been condensed into the ‘Presentation slides.’