BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN an effort to enhance the self-governing capabilities of communities, the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) has begun the second implementation phase of its Capacity Strengthening Training Programme (CSTP).
Since its inception in 2007, the CSTP has trained over 40 persons in the areas of leadership and governance. The Programme’s first phase targeted the communities of Shadwell, Conaree and Cayon, while the current phase consists of the Old Road, Newton Ground and Molineux/Philippe’s Villages.
According to BNTF Community Liaison Officer Azilla Clarke, the CSTP’s objective is “to facilitate the development of skills around the tenets of leadership and governance in existing or newly established community leaders so they can have the capacity to govern their communities”. These leaders include pastors, NEMA representatives, sporting and music personalities, and other community-minded individuals.
Clarke further informed that 15 persons from each of the targeted areas could attend the twice weekly training sessions. The topics to be covered consist of various facets of governance such as how to mobilise communities, how to form community groups and how to develop community projects. At the end of the year-long programme, participants are expected to formulate project proposals for implementation in their communities.
Clarke reassured that her organisation would assist financially with these projects, provided sufficient funds are available. The Officer expounded on the rationale behind the Programme, stating that it aims to improve community involvement and empowerment. She added that the BNTF’s eventual goal is to train persons in every community on the island.
“The CSTP is a nationwide project that is being rolled out in three to four communities at a time. Its objective is to build community capacity in order to aid national development and governance.
The BNTF believes in a “bottom-up policy”; that is, empowering community leaders so they can enlighten us as to the community’s needs and what can be done to fulfil them, as opposed to all the direction coming from the various government ministries.
Since its initiation in 1979, the BNTF has developed and conducted various initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation and reduction throughout the region. The programme’s primary objectives are to improve access to basic public services by poor and vulnerable communities through the provision of social and economic infrastructure and to enhance skill development through employment and community management.
St. Kitts and Nevis has implemented nine infrastructural projects and five training projects, with another 10 projects currently underway.
The current BNTF cycle began in 2005 and will end in July 2010. Its focus is poverty alleviation through six tenets – education, health, skills training, access, water and maintenance.
The CSTP falls under the umbrella of the programme’s skills training component.
