National Inception Workshops - BIOREACH Project

BIOREACH: Biodiversity Conservation and Agroecological Land Restoration in Productive Landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago

Project Preparation Grant (PPG) Inception Meetings

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nation’s (FAO/UN) project preparation team is leading the development of a Project Document (for the BIOREACH: Biodiversity Conservation and Agroecological Land Restoration in Productive Landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago project) in collaboration and consultation with relevant Agencies and stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago. The outcome document is to be completed by March 2020, for submission to Global Environment Facility (GEF) for their endorsement.

In light of this, on October 8^th and 10^th 2019 the BIOREACH Project Inception Workshops were held at the Cara Suites in Claxton Bay, Trinidad, and at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort in Tobago.

The workshops were geared at creating awareness among national stakeholders about the Project, and getting their feedback on the design of the Project.

Participants were informed through presentations on different components of the Project (which seeks to address threats to our local biodiversity and productive landscapes from human encroachment, forest fires and unsustainable practices); and also participated in several group discussions, with the aim of assisting in the development of a Project proposal that when completed will result in a well-drafted proposal with the potential to achieve sustainable and effective results.

The presentations delivered during the Inception Workshops can be found below:

1. Project Components
2. Project Outline and Objectives
3. Socio-Environmental Analysis

Attendees at the Trinidad Workshop Listen to a Presentation Delivered by Mr. Asif Khan, PPG National Coordinator

Group Presentation during the Trinidad Leg of the PPG Inception Workshop

Dr. Claus Eckelmann, Lead Technical Officer - FAO/ UN Addressng Tobago Invitees

Group Discussions at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort in Tobago

Inception Workshop of the new forest and PA project

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. 

Senator the Honourable Mr Ganga Singh delivering his keynote speech at the Inception Workshop

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.'

Inception Workshop Report
Presentation Slides