Environmental research

1.1 Project Summary The goal of this project is to enhance the environment of the community of Fond Cole. One component is a proper garbage disposal collection area. At present, the region where the garbage is being pooled to be collected by the Dominica Solid Waste is very unsightly and poses a serious health hazard to the residents of the community and also contributes tremendously to pollution in the area. Due to the unsanitary practices of the residents, this problem is seemingly escalating and in the end would prove to be detrimental to the community on a whole. Looking at the GEF/SGP Country Programme Strategy, and the rise of pollution in the country, implementation of this improved garbage collection will aide in decreasing pollution first beginning with the community and by extension the country in the long run as this project can be replicated in other communities. As part of this waste disposal programme, the Committee will work in collaboration with and guided by the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation to implement waste separation at the source. This will be directly linked to support the plant nursery. The biodegradable material will be used for composting. This compost will be used in the plant nursery and excess can be sold to bring revenue to the Committee. The development of a plant nursery project will produce the much needed plants (medicinal, food and ornamental) in the area. This will create some employment and revenue for the Committee while providing a reliable supply of plants for community projects and for sale to the public. The project seeks to address the land slippage and flooding that occurs at the back of the community centre, the only community building in Fond Cole, which is a multiple use building. The estimated cost of this project is EC$80,073.00.or US$29,656.67. 1.2 Organizational Background and capacity to implement the project The Fond Cole Improvement Committee is a community-based group, which is focused on the continued development of the community. The group s main objective is community building through sustainable development; which in the end will lead to a thriving neighbourhood. The Committee is a recognised body, known for a good track record of community mobilization/and projects. The history of Improvement Committees within the community stems for over forty (40) years, as improvement of the community has been the mainstay ideology. The present Committee has been in existence for over a year and has a long standing member who has served with many of the past committees for over a period of thirty (30) years. The group has undertaken fund raising through various initiatives (fund raising projects) and has received grants and donations in support of the projects being undertaken. The group often conducts evaluations to find out the needs of the community. When a project is identified and being undertaken, the community is alerted of its significance and are educated therein and mobilised to participate fully. One of the previous projects undertaken by the Committee was with funding from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) through collaboration with the Office for Disaster Management, the construction of a major drain in the upper vicinity of the community; which enabled the proper drainage of waste water that was a hazard for residents living in the lower region of the community. This drain helped in reducing the amount of run-of water which plagued the community often contributing to flooding with the end result being pollution, damage to crops and property and major soil erosion. The experience gained by FCIC in the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) funded project with close supervision and guidance of the local government department technical officer will be used in the implementation of this project. 1.3 Project Objectives and Expected Results (1) The primary objective of the project would be to reduce the pollution volume in the community this would also decrease the occurrence of diseases spread by pests by 90% by the end of 2013 with a proper garbage collection incubator for managing waste. This project will be done in collaboration with the Dominica Solid Waste Corporation in their venture to reduce pollution in every community and to significantly curb the spread of diseases. (2) Another objective component of this project is to enhance the community through the development of a plant/nursery project. To produce of the much needed plants (medicinal, food and ornamental) for generating income for the Committee and among youth and for increasing food production and enhancement in the community and country. The group will also link to another GEF SGP project; the One Million Hour tree planting initiative, to engage in organised tree planting activities. (3) The last component is to construct a retaining wall and drainage to reduce impact of excess flood waters and erosion on the community centre. The centre is used for meetings, training, community activities, and hurricane shelter and needs some repairs. Through the training and capacity building sessions and the experience that will be gained in the implementation of this project, on completion the committee should be a more organised and effective group, attracting more support. 1.4 Description of Project Activities Activity 1 Awareness and Education The FCIC will organise educational sessions to increase knowledge and understanding of en

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