HILLSBOROUGH, CARRIACOU, JANUARY 5, 2025- The first Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the Carriacou Integrated Landscape Management Project was held on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, bringing together community members, government representatives, and partners.
The project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has commenced restorative activities in Dumfries and Belle Vue South and is also improving the capacity of the Belair Nursery to improve its production.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Davon Baker, who was serving as Acting Chairman of the PSC in place of Mr. Leanwall Perotte, underscored the Committee’s mandate to provide technical and policy oversight; approve and monitor work plans and financial projections; review project reports; and facilitate inter-ministerial coordination to ensure the effective implementation of the project.
During the PSC meeting, key agenda items included an update on the ILM Project, with a particular focus on its major components: integrated water resources management (encompassing water conservation, irrigation, and water harvesting), public awareness, community engagement, and the establishment of a community nursery.
“This gathering is critical to ensuring that the project remains agile, enabling us to adjust and make decisions that are meaningful for the citizens here. Understanding their current circumstances, the support they require, and engaging in open dialogue makes decision-making both easier and more impactful,” remarked Dr. Ronen C. A. Francis, Executive Director of PISLM.
Chief Land Use Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry, Joseph Noel, reaffirmed his ministry’s support for the project in Carriacou. During the PSC meetings, Project Manager Bernard McIntosh also presented a progress report outlining achievements since inception and upcoming implementation milestones.
He explained, “To date, they have received two shade houses and two storage containers, and support is being given to the Belair Nursery to improve their production capacity.”
Emphasizing the urgency and regional significance of the project, Dr. Christopher Cox, UNEP Task Manager for the project, noted, “Carriacou’s extreme vulnerability – made painfully clear by Hurricane Beryl—underscores the urgency of investing in sustainable land management that strengthens resilience to climate shocks.”
The Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) thanks all partners and members of the Project Steering Committee for their continued support towards the project, which is expected to improve the lives and livelihoods of the farmers and residents of Carriacou.
The meeting concluded with a review of action items and a reaffirmation of stakeholder commitment to collaboration, accountability, and adaptive management throughout the project lifecycle. Work continues on this project, and the next meeting of the Project Steering Committee is scheduled for April 2026.
About the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM)
The PISLM for CSIDS is the only indigenous, independent IGO with a mandate to help Caribbean SIDS meet their obligations under the UNCCD and land and soil areas of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA).
About the Carriacou ILM Project
Enhancing Land Management and Strengthening Ecosystem Resilience for Integrated Landscape Restoration and Climate-Resilient Food Systems in Carriacou, Grenada is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)–funded project implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and executed by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM). The project is being implemented in Carriacou, Grenada, from September 2023 to September 2026 under the GEF focal area of Land Degradation.
The project addresses escalating land degradation, ecosystem vulnerability, and climate-related risks that threaten agricultural productivity and local livelihoods on the island. By demonstrating and applying ecosystem-based landscape restoration, sustainable land management, and good agricultural practices, the project promotes climate-resilient food systems and enhanced ecosystem resilience. Through a strong community participatory approach, it also supports diversified, sustainable livelihood opportunities and long-term environmental sustainability for local communities in Carriacou.
