Achievements

In 200/2001 a Mid Term Review of the CDF Programme was undertaken. The following quotation is taken from the Review’s report:

A little over forty percent (43.1%) of the beneficiaries surveyed indicated that they had been able to gain employment as result of receiving services through the CDF. Sixty seven percent indicated that they were able to improve their economic status as a result of having participated in the CDF’s programmes or projects. Of those surveyed, at the present time, 36.4% were employed either full time or part time, 24.1% were unemployed and seeking work, and 24.9 were employed and not seeking work.

In 2004/2005, the Firm Ajupa Associates undertook a Final Evaluation of the CDF Programme. Among measures recommended were the restructuring of the management of the Programme; an expanded Steering Committee; the development of a data base “on poverty related statistics”; the development of a “technical library”; greater use of the electronic media in promoting the CDF; and that “the Secretariat should be more representative of NGOs and CBOs”.

The following provides details of some of the achievements of the CDF.

Collaboration with Servol

Over the period of the life of the Programme, the CDF provided SERVOL with $35m. This contributed to the following achievements:

Support to 139 Early Childhood Care and Education Centres, catering for 4,335 children between the ages of 2 ½ years and 5 years old

An average of forty teachers a year trained and certified as early Childhood Educators

Salaries of approximately 300 Early Childhood Educators supplemented to achieve greater parity with their peers

Approximately 4,500 parents and children counselled and trained annually

Support for the Parents Outreach Programme

The Civilian Conservation Corp

Contributed to the doubling of the intake of participants in 1998

9,138 young persons recruited

Approximately 136 community projects implemented

Over 1000 participants received technical training in agriculture, computer literacy, food preparation, electrical installation, masonry, plumbing, and tour guiding and tourism hospitality

The Youth Training and Employment partnership Programme (YTEPP)

Approximately 90 community based training courses completed

1,146 graduates in areas of garment construction, craft, micro entrepreneurship, agriculture, construction, tourism and food production

The National Commission for Self Help Ltd. (NCSHL)

Over $60m provided to the NCSHL for funding of infrastructural projects

Organisation strengthened through additional staffing, new technology equipment and the purchase of four vehicles over the period

Approval for the implementation of 1, 150 projects

More than 295,369 beneficiaries

The CDF’s NGO/CBO Grants Window Programme

The Window has supported the work of over 400 organisations during the ten years of its existence. Approximately $44m has been disbursed to community organisations. Just under 40,000 persons would have been involved in programme funded by the CDF. The following represents the range of programmes/disciplines supported by the CDF.

Human Resource and Development

Social Care and welfare Projects

Agricultural Projects

Projects serving the Needs of the Challenged Community.

Garment Construction Projects

Advice and Counselling

Health Awareness and Promotion Projects

Projects responding to the needs of Challenged persons

The CDF has impacted on all regions in Trinidad and Tobago. The following statistics. The following indicates funding provisions to organisations within those regions.

39 projects approved for funding in Tobago at a value of approximately $4m

57 projects approved for funding in North East Trinidad at a value of $5.8m

75 projects approved for funding in North West Trinidad of $6.5m

63 projects approved for funding in Central Trinidad at a value of $6.m

32 projects approved for funding in South East Trinidad at a value of $3.2m

33 projects approved for funding in South West Trinidad at a value of $3.45m

27 projects funded in support of Challenged Persons at a value of $3.m

A number of other grants for “one off “activities have been made to organisations

The Institutional Strengthening Programme

The CDF has implemented programes of general training to members of NGOs and CBOs. Over three thousand persons would have participated in training programmes implemented directly by the CDF. Courses have also been implemented in specialised areas, empowering the sector with the skills to contribute to its growth and development. The following are some of courses implemented over the period.

Starting and Operating Your Organisation

Identification, design and presentation of community social assistance and infrastructure projects for funding

Project Implementation and Management

Volunteerism/ Managing Volunteers

Financial Management for Voluntary Organisations

Community-Based Needs Assessment

Marketing for Community-Based Income Generating Enterprises

Project Planning and Proposal Writing

Strategic Planning for NGOs/CBOS

With regard to specialised training, accredited and certificated courses have been provided in the following areas.

Project Cycle Management

Training of trainers

The CDF has been pleased to have implemented training programmes in pan tuning and Pan Technology. Over two hundred persons participated in these programmes.