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 is pleased to support Crochet for a Cause: Ridge to Reef project is in its second year of implementation under the Community Empowerment and Environmental Partnership. The programme aims to bring together members of the community over the handicraft of crochet to create land and sea replicas for environmental awareness.
The project’s workshops, which are facilitated by Elaine’s Caribbean Crochet, in collaboration with BYBT, were recently held on the first floor of Norman Centre, Bridgetown. At this location, crochet artisans used their talent and skill to highlight the impact of climate change and increase the conversation around environmental protection.
GEF Small Grants Programme National Coordinator Dr. David Bynoe indicated “This project presents the biodiversity of Barbados and the Caribbean. It achieves the sustainable development goals of quality education, decent work and economic growth, climate action, and life below water helping men and women to become informed and empowered in a creatively relevant way.”
Founder of Elaine’s Caribbean Crochet Nikisha Toppin said “Hosting the workshops at Norman Centre placed crochet in the centre of Bridgetown and the centre of community. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue to use our love for this artform to encourage others to be more environmentally conscious.”
Project participant Sybil Fielder noted “I joined the Ridge to Reef project because it brings out your creativity and brings awareness to the climate and the environment. You meet friendly people, you meet other artists and we learn from each other. It is a happy bunch.”
This aspect of the project’s engagement was implemented from Monday 15 January through to Saturday 10 February 2024. During this time, crochet artists and enthusiasts visited Norman Centre to learn to crochet, create crochet replicas and display their craft for sale. The Crochet for a Cause project will also be implemented in Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Lucia in keeping with the south-south cooperation of implementation.