By S.Browne . Updated 6:56 p.m., Monday, May 11, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Young people across St. Vincent and the Grenadines are set to gain practical environmental and climate resilience skills through a new programme scheduled to launch next month.
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Conservation Fund (SVGCF) will officially launch the Gender Smart Facility (GSF) Project during an opening ceremony on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Grenadine House.
The initiative forms part of the Caribbean Organizations for a Resilient Environment (CORE) Project, led by the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, with support from KfW Development Bank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the programme is being implemented through SVGCF in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Marion House.
The project aims to strengthen climate resilience and environmental awareness among young people and communities through practical, community-based activities and training. The initiative uses a gender-responsive approach to encourage inclusive participation in climate and conservation efforts.
Young people aged 14 and older, along with schools and community groups, will participate in activities including rainwater harvesting, backyard gardening, reforestation, community and beach clean-ups, plastic collection and recycling initiatives, disaster preparedness training and environmental awareness campaigns.
The programme will also support the creation of school and community environmental clubs aimed at promoting long-term engagement in conservation and sustainable practices.
According to SVGCF, the initiative is intended to increase awareness of climate change and biodiversity conservation, strengthen community resilience and empower youth and women to take active roles in environmental stewardship.
The launch ceremony is expected to bring together stakeholders, development partners, educators, community leaders and members of the public as the programme officially begins local implementation.
END
