CED holds climate change adaptation workshop – St Vincent Times

Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. Launches Climate Change Adaptation Workshop

Workshop Overview and Objectives

The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) officially commenced a three-day Climate Change Adaptation Workshop on 24th February, aimed at enhancing the capacity of local community groups to effectively address climate risks. This initiative is part of the Unlocking Opportunities Through Climate Change Initiatives (UOCCI) Project, funded by the Organization of American States (OAS) Development Cooperation Fund (DCF), and is held at the SVG Teachers Cooperative Credit Union Conference Room.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The workshop strongly supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including:

1. SDG 13: Climate Action – by increasing awareness and building adaptive capacity to climate change.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty – by addressing vulnerabilities that perpetuate poverty cycles.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality – through targeted support and inclusion of women in climate adaptation strategies.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by promoting climate-smart business practices and economic opportunities.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – by focusing on underserved and vulnerable communities.

Workshop Content and Participation

The workshop convenes members from community groups and organizations nationwide to address critical gaps in local climate preparedness. The comprehensive program includes:

• Raising awareness of national climate risks and vulnerabilities.
• Providing practical tools for risk assessment and adaptation planning.
• Promoting climate-smart business practices.
• Fostering cross-sector collaboration for integrated climate strategies.

Keynote Remarks and Call to Action

Miss Keisha Phillips, Training and Education Coordinator of CED and UOCCI Project Coordinator, emphasized the urgency of the initiative:

“Without proper training, these groups remain highly exposed to climate risks, which further entrenches cycles of poverty, inequality, and vulnerability. This project aims to address this gap by providing essential climate change knowledge and practical adaptation strategies.”

She further urged collective participation, stating:

“The success of this project relies not just on us at the CED organizing workshops like this. It will only be successful if we collectively participate and integrate as community groups, women, youth, and stakeholder agencies – both public and private. I urge everyone to become involved in these activities where we train vulnerable groups and people on the impact of climate change.”

Educational Approach and Facilitation

The workshop establishes a foundational understanding of climate change science and its impacts at global, regional, and local levels. Participants engage with key concepts and critically reflect on the intersection of climate risks with livelihoods, social equity, and development priorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean.

The sessions are facilitated by Mrs. Nyasha Antrobus-Cyrus, a Climate Change and Hazards Management Specialist.

Project Framework and Long-Term Goals

The three-year UOCCI Project (2024-2027), funded by the OAS Development Cooperation Fund, is designed to:

• Support and recognize the contributions of women and underserved communities.
• Create an inclusive and effective approach to climate action benefiting all stakeholders.
• Reduce the impacts of climate change while enhancing livelihoods.
• Increase economic opportunities for women and vulnerable populations.

This aligns with the broader agenda of achieving sustainable development through climate resilience and social inclusion.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article highlights the connection between climate risks and cycles of poverty and vulnerability.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The project emphasizes supporting women and underserved communities, promoting inclusivity in climate action.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The initiative aims to increase economic opportunities for women and vulnerable communities.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – The core focus of the workshop is climate change adaptation, risk assessment, and promoting climate-smart practices.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The project fosters cross-sector collaboration among community groups, public and private stakeholders.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 1 – Target 1.5: Build resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.
2. SDG 5 – Target 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.
3. SDG 8 – Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
4. SDG 13 – Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
5. SDG 17 – Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

• Indicator for SDG 1.5: Number of people affected by climate-related disasters; level of resilience in vulnerable communities.
• Indicator for SDG 5.b: Proportion of women participating in climate change adaptation training and decision-making processes.
• Indicator for SDG 8.3: Number of climate-smart businesses or economic opportunities created for women and vulnerable groups.
• Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of local community groups equipped with climate risk assessment and adaptation planning tools.
• Indicator for SDG 17.17: Number and diversity of partnerships formed between community groups, public and private sectors.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: stvincenttimes.com