Environmental research

The problem of over dependence on traditional sources of energy is not new to Jamaica or the SIDS region where advanced research and experimental exploration in the field of renewable energy is still limited, due to lack of funding. The project seeks to address this problem with the expansion of renewable energy activities The expansion of the project will be done in collaboration with a NGO group in Barbados. Gender Mainstreaming The process of manufacturing solar panels in both Jamaica and Barbados will provide equal opportunities for men, women, persons with disabilities and youths. Fortunately for both countries, gender is not really a problem; however every effort will be made to ensure that there is a balance and more so equity among the groups and or persons involved. The expansion of the project in Barbados will be done in collaboration with the Yorkshire Sports Club at their Community Centre. The hub for the manufacturing of the panels will be facilitated through the construction of fully equipped containerized buildings, financed by the Shipping Association of Barbados and the Barbados Port Inc.; this will form part of that country s contribution to the project. Incorporating the inner-city and at-risk (rural) young people will serve to empower a section of the population that is often regarded as unproductive, unemployable and uneducated or inadequately educated. This project will provide them with the tools to rise above these stereotypical societal classifications. The overall objective of the project will be in full support of the UN Secretary General s global initiative of making renewable energy affordable for all. Project Objectives and Expected Results As indicated above, the main objective of this project is to meet the demand for expansion of renewable energy activities both at the local and regional level. The main project results are: 1. Expansion/replication of the current Productivity/Renewable Energy Centre to offer higher level advanced skills, application-based training and certification across the region, starting with Barbados. 2. Training in Factory and Process Automation, and Customized energy industry-specific training 3. Establishment of a manufacturing base comprised of disadvantaged young people to produce solar panels at a lower cost. 4. Reduction of the dependency of small businesses and other commercial entities on traditional sources of energy. 5. Empowerment of young people and marginalized communities in Jamaica and Barbados through the applied research and income generation aspects of this project. Plan to ensure Community Participation Generally, the project is geared towards full community participation. Communities will include schools, social clubs, etc. CMI s enrollment records demonstrate a diverse array of students from both urban and rural Jamaica and similar communities in Barbados. The project will seek to incorporate as many persons from these communities and will ensure that the benefits can be seen among these audiences. Based on research, these four hot spot areas highlighted are most vulnerable to incidents of violence and crime and have a large number of at risk youths among the total population. As such, the project will focus heavily on youths in these areas. Several key issues affect sustainable development; two of them are: Urban and rural poverty and underdevelopment Youth underdevelopment Knowledge Management The project will be documented thoroughly from its initial stages until its completion, through photographs, video recordings, and notations. The information, lessons learnt, good practices and knowledge to be unearthed through the implementation of the project will be captured in these ways. Such findings and progress will be shared and disseminated via face-face meetings or teleconferencing with key stakeholders, i.e. funding agencies, suppliers and administrators. The success of the project will also be shared with the wider public through the various avenues of media.

Jamaica