United Nations Earth Summit+5 Success Stories - Belvedere Integrated Development Programme (IDP), an integrated approach to environmental conservation

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

Belvedere Integrated Development Programme (IDP), an integrated approach to environmental conservation

Location Belvedere Integrated Development Programme (IDP), an integrated approach to environmental conservation

Responsible Organization(s) Belvedere Integrated Development Programme (IDP), an integrated approach to environmental conservation

Description In July 1994, the St. Lucia National Trust made its first intervention in the community of Belvedere for the purpose to mobilize and engage residents in a process of community consultations on the project proposed by the National Trust of a Nature Heritage Tourism. The proposed project involved a 133 acre site, known as Anse La Liberte, owned by the National Trust.
The Belvedere Integrated Development Programme was launched based on a mutual understanding and commitment to working in partnership to address the concerns of the National Trust and the community. This understanding comes out of a recognition that environmental/development issues cannot be tackled in isolatation from socio-economic and cultural issues at the community level.
To date, the programme has engaged residents in a process of problem identification and analysis, prioritizing problems, formulating action plans, creating relevant community structures and capacity/capability building.

Issues addressed Awareness
Community self-reliance.
Capacity-building and community empowerment.
Community participation in decision-making process.
Solid and liquid waste management.

Objectives To enable the community to manage and direct their own development.
Increase the awareness of the community that their day-to-day action, lifestyle and environmental/overall sustainability are interdependent. To assist the community in developing a common and pursuable vision.
To bring about a qualitative change in the socio-cultural and economic life of the community.
To foster a culture of environmental protection and conservation as the basis for sustainable community development.

Results achieved Developed a collective sense of community needs and actions.
Established the Belvedere Development Committee which services as a representative body and coordinating mechanism.
Gained exposure and recognition at the national level.
Developed an organized approach to addressing community issues and needs.
Created jobs.
Established a community development fund.
Received a national award as Best Community' in national tourism and hospitality awards for the period January - December 1995.

Lessons learned Objectives of intervening/development agencies must sometimes be sidelined to allow community concerns and needs to be addressed.
Community organization and cooperation is not always automatic, it must be nurtured. Commitment towards a process of sometimes intense and ongoing facilitation may become necessary.
Creation and or use of relevant community-based structures allows communities to assume an integral role in managing the development process while building capacity and capability.
Environmental conservation and development efforts cannot be undertaken in isolation from community concerns.
Results and accountability are key factors related to sustained community interest and participation.

Financing Belvedere Community; Private Sector; St. Lucia National Trust and funding agencies.
Additional funding raised through the facilitating efforts of the SLNT.

Contact Mr. Cyril Mathurin - President Belvedere Development Committee
Tel: (809) 452-6813
Mr. Darnley Lebourne - Western Area Manager, Tel: (809) 452-5005
SLNT Head Office Fax: (809) 453-2791
Western Area Office, Tel/Fax: (809) 459-4157

Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
1 November 1997

	Belvedere Integrated Development Programme (IDP), an integrated approach to environmental conservation
	Location	Belvedere Integrated Development Programme (IDP), an integrated approach to environmental conservation
	Responsible Organization(s)	Belvedere Integrated Development Programme (IDP), an integrated approach to environmental conservation
	Description	In July 1994, the St. Lucia National Trust made its first intervention in the community of Belvedere for the purpose to mobilize and engage residents in a process of community consultations on the project proposed by the National Trust of a Nature Heritage Tourism. The proposed project involved a 133 acre site, known as Anse La Liberte, owned by the National Trust. The Belvedere Integrated Development Programme was launched based on a mutual understanding and commitment to working in partnership to address the concerns of the National Trust and the community. This understanding comes out of a recognition that environmental/development issues cannot be tackled in isolatation from socio-economic and cultural issues at the community level. To date, the programme has engaged residents in a process of problem identification and analysis, prioritizing problems, formulating action plans, creating relevant community structures and capacity/capability building.
	Issues addressed	Awareness Community self-reliance. Capacity-building and community empowerment. Community participation in decision-making process. Solid and liquid waste management.
	Objectives	To enable the community to manage and direct their own development. Increase the awareness of the community that their day-to-day action, lifestyle and environmental/overall sustainability are interdependent. To assist the community in developing a common and pursuable vision. To bring about a qualitative change in the socio-cultural and economic life of the community. To foster a culture of environmental protection and conservation as the basis for sustainable community development.
	Results achieved	Developed a collective sense of community needs and actions. Established the Belvedere Development Committee which services as a representative body and coordinating mechanism. Gained exposure and recognition at the national level. Developed an organized approach to addressing community issues and needs. Created jobs. Established a community development fund. Received a national award as Best Community' in national tourism and hospitality awards for the period January - December 1995.
	Lessons learned	Objectives of intervening/development agencies must sometimes be sidelined to allow community concerns and needs to be addressed. Community organization and cooperation is not always automatic, it must be nurtured. Commitment towards a process of sometimes intense and ongoing facilitation may become necessary. Creation and or use of relevant community-based structures allows communities to assume an integral role in managing the development process while building capacity and capability. Environmental conservation and development efforts cannot be undertaken in isolation from community concerns. Results and accountability are key factors related to sustained community interest and participation.
	Financing	Belvedere Community; Private Sector; St. Lucia National Trust and funding agencies. Additional funding raised through the facilitating efforts of the SLNT.
	Contact	Mr. Cyril Mathurin - President Belvedere Development Committee Tel: (809) 452-6813 Mr. Darnley Lebourne - Western Area Manager, Tel: (809) 452-5005 SLNT Head Office Fax: (809) 453-2791 Western Area Office, Tel/Fax: (809) 459-4157