EARTH SUMMIT+5 Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise the Implementation of Agenda 21 New York, 23-27 June 1997 SUCCESS STORIES FROM ST. LUCIA

	Communities of Praslin and Mamiku: Building Capacity and Capability for Sustainable Environmental Action
	Location	Communities of Praslin and Mamiku East Central Coast of St. Lucia, Caribbean.
	Responsible Organization(s)	The St. Lucia National Trust and the Praslin/Mamiku Development Committee (PMDC).
	Description	Community members and a facilitator developed a community strategic plan as part of a Participatory Action Research Project, identifying the community's strategic needs, strategies to address those needs, a community management structure, and a vision statement for the community. During the Participatory Action Research process, community members also undertook a community census providing quantitative data for substantiating some of the needs identified. Based on the degree of participation and the strategic plan developed, a project proposal was developed and submitted to the Global Environmental Facility/Small Grants Programme/United Nations Development Programme (GEF/SGP/UNDP).
	Issues addressed	Community Solid Waste Management; Sewage disposal; Capacity Building for Sustained Action; Community Education and Awareness.
	Objectives	Organization of two training workshops which focus on leadership and management skills, and group dynamics, for existing community groups; Greater community awareness and appreciation of the diverse natural and cultural heritage; Construction of three community garbage chutes for the orderly disposal of garbage and for a substantial reduction of garbage scattered in rivers and in the marine reserve; Contribution to construction cost of pit toilets for forty-one households in the communities; Construction and placement of three quality display boards which will conspicuously present the communities' core values and vision and help to motivate community members towards sustainable development activities.
	Results achieved	Effective solid waste management system Absence of human feces in the environment A more recognized PMDC The community is now going on to address other needs, e.g., their potable water needs.
	Lessons learned	Pre-project participatory planning is critical The project must be based on community needs Building capacity and capability is a sine qua non for sustainable development at the community level A well-trained facilitator Projects must grow into programmes Benefits must be shared Community education and action is required for challenging old beliefs and attitudes Projects and programmes must have as an objective the identification and nurturing of community leaders
	Financing	By a grant from GEF/SGP/UNDP Contributions from the St. Lucia National Trust Private sector contributions Community contributions.
	Contact	Mr. Giles Romulus, St. Lucia National Trust Ms. Catherine Descartes, St. Lucia National Trust Mr. Leo Francis, Praslin Mamiku Development Committee Mr. John Francis & Mrs. Jeannette Francis, Praslin Mamiku Development Committee UNDP, Bridgetown PoB 625C Barbados tel.: 429-2621 Fax: 426 2448 Telex 2344

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1 November 1997