THE JAMAICA Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and the Social Development Commission (SDC) have signed an inter-institutional agreement for collaboration on community development initiatives funded under the National Community Development Project (NCDP).
The NCDP is being financed by a US$15 million loan agreement between the Government of Jamaica and the World Bank. This loan agreement outlines an enhanced role for the SDC as the chief government entity charged with facilitating community development.
As such, in addition to assisting community-based organisations (CBOs) to complete applications to JSIF, the SDC's community development officers will work with CBOs to determine their needs and priorities and to draft comprehensive development plans which will be submitted along with all applications for funding from JSIF.
Both the JSIF and the SDC hope to promote a greater level of citizen participation and involvement in the development process. JSIF's primary responsibilities will now be to validate, technically appraise and finance projects.
The SDC has also agreed to provide community groups with the training to equip citizens to manage and maintain community infrastructure. This forms part of JSIF's strategy to promote sustainable development by ensuring that investments in community facilities are safeguarded.
The agreement was signed by JSIF's chairman Dr. Wesley Hughes and the SDC's executive director, Mr. Robert Bryan. It comes into effect immediately.
