PROCARIBE+ Launches in Antigua and Barbuda: A New Wave of Ocean Conservation Collaboration- by Tyreke G Thomas-Horsford

The launch ceremony began with Master of Ceremonies Mr. Joseph W. Prosper, Member of the National Steering Committee, who set the tone for the event. The opening prayer was delivered by Mr. Andelle Trotman, Chairman of the National Steering Committee, followed by a soulful rendition of the national anthem performed on steelpan by Mr. Japhon Barthley, setting a cultural tone for the gathering.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Trotman underscored the importance of collaborative action to safeguard marine ecosystems and promote sustainable livelihoods. Following this, a series of impactful addresses were delivered by representatives and officials integral to the PROCARIBE+ initiative.

Dr. Tricia Lovell/Operational Focal Point and Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer emphasized the need for regional partnerships to address critical challenges affecting the Caribbean Sea. Mr. Alexander Girvan, Senior Project Officer at the UNDP/GEF PROCARIBE+ Coordination Unit, spoke on the broader goals of the project within the UN’s sustainable development framework. Mrs. Denise Matthias Thomas, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, also brought greetings and support from the government on behalf of the Minister Honourable Anthony Smith Jr. highlighting the program’s alignment with national blue economy priorities.

The voice of Barbuda was strongly represented by Mr. John Mussington/Chairman of the Barbuda Council, who spoke passionately about local conservation efforts and community-led resilience.

A captivating musical interlude by Mr. Barthley provided a moment of reflection before the presentations by local grantee partners. The following organizations shared their project plans and aspirations:

• Ms. Millie Dennen of Antigua and Barbuda Ocean Trust
• Mrs. Vashti Ramsey-Casimir of Fauna and Flora International Corp
• Ms. Pethrolyna Isaac of barbudanGO
• Ms. Monique Bigler of Elkhorn Marine Conservancy, presenting on a complementary project

These presentations reflected the diversity and innovation of local marine-focused initiatives, from reef restoration to sustainable fishing practices.

Mrs. S. Natalya Lawrence, Senior Programme Manager and National Coordinator of the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) under UNDP, delivered a warm vote of thanks, acknowledging the shared commitment to ocean protection across all sectors.

The event concluded with a formal closure by Mr. Joseph Prosper, followed by a group photo session and refreshments, fostering informal networking among stakeholders.

The PROCARIBE+ launch in Antigua and Barbuda is more than just a ceremonial occasion—it is a clarion call to action, collaboration, and community-led innovation in marine conservation across the Caribbean.

About GEF Small Grants Programme
Mission
Established in 1992, the year of the Rio Earth Summit, the GEF Small Grants Programme embodies the very essence of sustainable development by “thinking globally acting locally”. By providing financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people’s well
being and livelihoods, SGP demonstrates that community action can maintain the fine balance between human needs and environmental imperatives.

SGP recognizes that environmental degradation such as the destruction of ecosystems and the species that depend upon them, increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, pollution of international waters, land degradation and the spread of persistent organic pollutants are life-threatening challenges that endanger us all. However, poor and vulnerable communities –SGP’s primary stakeholders- are most at risk because they depend on access to natural resources for their livelihoods and often live in fragile ecosystems.

The programme provides grants of up to $50,000 directly to local communities including indigenous people, community-based organizations and other non-governmental groups for projects in Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Land Degradation and Sustainable Forest Management,
International Waters and Chemicals.

Both Antigua and Barbuda benefitted from four such grants which enable the twin island nation to assist with the clean-up, conservation and resilience that would foster better conditions and sustainability for this aquatic environment.  As stated by Mr. Mussington in his remarks “Our small actions locally will lead to bigger things globally”.  This comment is totally in sync with GEF SGP theme “thinking globally acting locally”.  Therefore, the onus is on everyone to do their part because we are ALL inhabitants of the environment and automatically custodians of it – for we do not then we will certainly fail to exist.

The National Coordinator in Antigua and Barbuda is S. Natalya Lawrence. She can be contacted at
Shawna.lawrence@undp.org and 782-3608.
https://sgp.undp.org/about-us-157.html