Geo-development

Introduction

To Carriacou & Petite Martinique Geo-development

In the last quarter of 2008, People in Action was approached by Global Environment Facility(GEF) on the possibility of accessing a grant from their Small Grants Program(SGP). PIA proposed our adopted geotourism catalyst for communities to bring about continuing support for sustaining and enhancing their geographical characteristics of their place. Based on the following reasons, PIA focused on Grenada's dependencies, Carriacou & Petite Martinique;

• The Ministry of Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs' restructuring of their Ministry to independently manage the dependencies

• The first geotourism pilot was done for Petite Martinique under the Agency for Reconstruction and Development (ARD) in the post Hurricane Ivan recovery

• Carriacou & Petite Martinique heritage of "Maroon" traditional living. One of the aspects of Maroon tradition is the community's collaboration to pursue development and celebrate their achievements over communal feasting and drumming.

• The timely development of Local Government development and the transfer of decision making process to the people

• Carriacou & Petite Martinique eligibility and nomination to qualify as a UNESCO World Heritage site

People in Action presented to the Minister and Ministry of Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs the possibility of engaging in the a ground-up participatory approach to geotourism as a catalyst in the Local Government development.

The five Local Government zones:-

We are aware that as a parish or dependency, areas are comprised of subsets of communities and we strategize to recognize the intimate clusters of villages that share resources & concerns common to their geographical area.

People in Action with the aid of the , GEF SGP Planning Grant engaged the communities of Carriacou & Petite Martinique. We test the process by first engaging communities in each of the zones in the "Identification" process, culminating in a workshop of key community leaders to engage in the "Analyzing" and "Planning" for the development of a broad stroke strategic plan.

PIA is mindful of the current global financial crisis which started in 2007 and how unpredictable and fragile the tourism industry can be. We strategize for a tourism market that will not build dependency neither create heavy demands for the commitment of precious natural, historical & cultural assets, nor disenfranchise the community, but sustain and enhance its resources. Already being practiced by groups such as the Mt Pleasant Community group, Kido, Camp Kayak and the Carriacou Historical Society is travel philanthropy and volunteerism.

PIA has termed the community development model of "geotourism" as "geo-development"

"geotourism"

Tourism that sustains and enhances the geographical characteristics of a place; i.e. its environment, culture, history, aesthetics and well-being of the people"

"geo-development"

Geo-development is a process that enables the communities to accept responsibilities, to explore possibilities & take action to steward their geographical assets. This process empowers the community to sustain and enhance the environment, cultural, historical, social and human resources in a continuing and independent basis through transparency and accountability platforms.