Local NGO supports Codrington Barbuda with the Introduction of Innovative Hydroponics Initiative by IICA (Antigua)

Codrington, Barbuda. 11th February, (IICA); Building of sustainable agriculture practices, linking SME’s to markets, improving capacities in food safety standards and productivity, strengthening local NGOs and promoting climate smart agriculture, are some of the contributions that will be improved made by Team Buda Corp.

This local NGO formed by Barbudans and is comprised of other members living in the diaspora is a non-profit NGO dedicated to fostering sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation in communities. Their mission is to empower individuals and communities to adopt innovative and environmentally friendly practices that enhance food security, livelihoods, and ecosystem resilience. Through education and collaborative partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, the group strives to create a more sustainable and equitable world where people and nature thrive together.

Through external resources received from the Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Team BUDA Corp with support from local partners and other stakeholders started executing activities under a project twinned with the support from the Sir McChesney George Secondary School entitled The Introduction of Innovative Climate Change Technologies through Hydroponics and Conventional Agriculture through Youth Engagement in Barbuda. The project which will introduce innovative climate smart technologies will be executed over a 12-month period, which will contribute to not only the youths from the agricultural science programme within the school but also the wider farming community in Barbuda.

The project is a collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation (IICA) along with other partners and stakeholders, seeking to support some key priority actions mandated by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Barbuda Council.

The project output will be to;

  • Output 1: Build technical & social capacity of Increase the technical proficiency of the school staff and students in area such as sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient technologies, and community development by the end of the project.
  • OUTPUT 2:Build capacity and strengthen existing livelihood opportunities and generate sustainable alternatives economic production techniques by the end of the project
  • OUTPUT 3: Disseminate the climate smart approaches using innovative educational and M&E tools and new media approaches, within Antigua and Barbuda to promote wider interest.

IICA through its technical cooperation continues to contribute to strengthening the business and associated capabilities of vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth, which has led to a strengthening of the dialogue among the institute and greater involvement in agriculture.

Since 1992, GEF SGP – UNDPhas embodied the very essence of sustainable development by “thinking globally and acting locally” and serving, in the GEF partnership, a unique role supporting objectives of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in achieving GEF’s mission and mandate to deliver Global Environmental Benefits (GEBs).

The overriding objective of SGP 2.0 is to “Catalyze and mobilize civil society actors and local actions needed to address major drivers of environmental degradation and help deliver multiple benefits across the GEF’s mandated thematic dimensions, while promoting sustainable development and improved livelihoods.”