$8.9 Million EU-Funded PROSPER Project Launched in Toledo for Community Growth

Participation, Ownership, and Sustainable Progress for Economic Resilience (PROSPER) Project was launched today in Yemeri Grove Village, Toledo. The community development project that has been made possible through an agreement with the European Union and Government of Belize to support community development in key areas focusing on urban development. This 8.9 million Belize dollar project will stretch over the next four years and will be monitored by International Labor Organization (ILO) personnel. Paul Mahung was at the launch, and this is the story.

Paul Mahung, Love FM Correspondent: “At completion of Thursday morning’s ceremony, Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labor and Local Government Chief Executive Officer Valentino Chal and PROSPER Project Coordinator Tanisha Chavarria spoke to Love News.”

Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labor and Local Government: “ This project will be  carried out in the Toledo District  and of course also in the southern portions of the Stank Creek District. It is mainly to focus on promoting community development, capacity building among women, youth and indigenous people,  and looking at opportunities for economic growth in  our villages. That is in general what the project is about, but it’s also a part of a larger partnership we have with our international partners.  And it is one element in the other investment program that the government has for the Toledo district. We’re working on roads,  we’re working on water systems, we’re working on electrification, and so this is just another one. It’s like a campaign against poverty that we’re doing. And so, we’re very happy that we were able to have the community come out here today to witness the launch of the project.”

Tanisha Chavarria, Project Coordinator, PROSPER Project: “The ILO is very excited and happy to launch the PROSPER project in the south of Belize, where we bring the technical skills and tools for communities in support with our partners and the different stakeholders to strengthen local economic development.  What PROSPER wants to achieve is three main outcomes. First, we want to strengthen the local economic environment.  Secondly, we want to work with 15 communities by establishing local action groups where communities drive their own local economic development. And then thirdly, we want to offer entrepreneurship training, skills training in institutions in the region and then also support market access in the south. It’s a holistic approach, an integrated approach that we’re taking to community development uh over the next four years and the ILO is very excited to set up shop here in Punta Gorda town as well. We have an office that  we’ve opened in Punta Gorda Town to support the project over the life of the four years.”

Paul Mahung, Love FM Correspondent: “The event held at Emery Grove Village also included entertainment with marimba and Garifuna cultural music. Paul Mahung, Love News, Emery Grove Village, Toledo.”