A team from two funding organizations has expressed disappointment with the implementation and status of a programme they are funding to assist with poverty reduction among vulnerable and marginalization communities.
A team from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) visited Grenada during the period 27 June – 03 July, 2013 to discuss the status of implementation of the Market Access and Rural Enterprise Development Programme (MAREP) and to chart the way forward.
A statement from the Ministry of Finance said that both IFAD and CDB expressed their deep concern over the major delays in programme implementation since 2011.
However, the Team was pleased to receive assurances from Government, that MAREP is a top priority and of Government’s commitment to fully turn around this important Project so that it can deliver tangible benefits to the people, especially in rural communities.
“Accordingly, both IFAD and CDB have reaffirmed their commitment to work with Government to ensure the successful implementation of MAREP,” said the statement which explained that the Supervision Team and Government identified the main issues affecting programme implementation and agreed on the way forward.
The first step to giving the programme a fresh start will be the appointment of a new Programme Coordinator before the end of July 2013. The Ministry statement said that IFAD and CDB will support Government’s efforts to put MAREP on a sound footing and kick start implementation of key aspects of MAREP, including the Market Access and Rural Enterprise Development component.
At the conclusion of the Mission, the Government expressed its appreciation to the representatives of IFAD and CDB for their commitment to the successful implementation of MAREP and reaffirmed its own commitment to give the Programme a fresh start. The next supervision mission will be in November 2013.
The Market Access and Rural Enterprise Development Programme (MAREP) is a six year Programme (2011-2017) funded by the Government of Grenada (GOG), with loan financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and in-kind contributions from beneficiaries at an overall estimated cost of US$8.5 million.
MAREP’s goal is to reduce rural poverty through a number of approaches, particularly through training/human capacity building and enterprise development in agricultural and non-agricultural programmes and activities. MAREP’s main objective is to increase the income of rural young unemployed or self-employed men and women in 50 rural communities in Grenada and Carriacou.
