The importance of south-south cooperation and forming linkages across our Caribbean shores for community and economic empowerment was underscored during the “Crochet for a Cause: Ridge to Reef” project two-day workshop recently held in St. John’s, Antigua. Co-sponsored by Export Barbados, the workshop enabled more than 40 participants to learn from Barbadian creatives about the artform of crochet for environmental awareness.
“This project is one-of-a-kind as it allowed attendees to develop skills, knowledge, and abilities that can be used for the advancement of the Design economy. We had participants stating that the products created would be used for the tourism industry and more than 80% expressed satisfaction with the workshop material and teaching. The value of the workshop is also seen in its work with the blue economy as participants received presentations on the biodiversity of the sea, the importance of coral reef preservation, and protection of the marine ecosystem as a whole.” Export Barbados CEO, Mark Hill noted.
Hosted by Elaine’s Caribbean Crochet, the project is executed under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, and Ministry of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy, through the Community Empowerment and Environmental Partnership.
GEF SGP UNDP Representative for Barbados, Dr. David Bynoe spoke to the benefit of expanding the project across the Caribbean. “Through this project, there has been a South-South exchange of resources and knowledge between Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda, which increases regional collaboration by forming relationships with government, civil society, and businesses. The project aims to and has enhanced the livelihood of participants by providing support mechanisms that foster learning and capacity development.”
Elaine’s Caribbean Crochet Founder, Nikisha Toppin expressed gratitude to the funding agencies and the stakeholders who provided guidance and assistance for the implementation of the workshops. “We liaised with the Department of Creative Industries, the National Parks Authority, and the National Public Library of Antigua and Barbuda to ensure there was representation from the creative and environmental sectors of the country. We are pleased with the feedback received and look forward to the continued implementation of the project in Antigua and Barbuda under the patronage of the National Public Library.”
The Barbadian creatives who facilitated the workshops included Sybil Fiedler, Karen Roberts and based on the recommendation of the GEF SGP UNDP National Steering Committee, a youth representative, Tavia Burrowes, of the Lester Vaughn School, was also selected as a Barbados participant to complement the team. Tavia was accompanied by her mother Tracia Burrowes as her guardian. The rollout of the project is scheduled to run through to 2025 with an additional implementation of the program in Saint Lucia.