Project Outcome
The anticipated outcome of the Green Climate Fund Readiness Support for Mainstreaming Climate Resilience into Water Sector Planning, Development and Operations in Saint Lucia is enhanced water security through strengthened institutional capacity of WASCO to mainstream climate resilience into water sector planning, development and operations by project completion.
Project Description
The Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL) through the Department of Economic Development, Office of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) National Designated Authority (NDA) has received approval from the GCF to support a climate change readiness project aimed at enhancing water security. The project is entitled "Mainstreaming Climate Resilience into Water Sector Planning, Development and Operations in Saint Lucia" and will be implemented through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), acting as the Delivery Partner (DP).
The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) is the primary beneficiary and key stakeholder, being the utility with responsibility for the provision of potable water and sewerage services in Saint Lucia.
The Project addresses critical barriers that have constrained WASCO's ability to respond effectively to climate change impacts, including limited institutional capacity, inadequate access to concessionary financing, insufficient pipeline of climate resilient infrastructure projects, and limited communication and public awareness of water supply issues relating to climate change.
The readiness project comprises the following key components:
- Institutional Capacity Building and Strengthening
- Human resource development through recruitment of new staff to fill vacant positions
- Training of all staff to ensure increased capacity for climate resilient service delivery
- Technical and administrative capacity enhancement for GCF-funded activity development
- Communication Strategy and Action/Campaign Plan Development
- Design of comprehensive communication strategy to catalyze behavioral change on climate related challenges
- Development of internal communication plan and integrated marketing communications plan
- Creation of crisis communication policies and media engagement protocols
- Public education programs focusing on climate change impacts, water security, water resources management, water storage and rainwater harvesting, water demand management, and water conservation
- Knowledge Management and Awareness
- Development of media knowledge tools in English and Kweyol
- Implementation of public awareness campaigns through radio, print media, internet and television
- Focus group discussions with key stakeholders for strategy validation
- Project Pipeline Development
- Enhanced capacity to develop and submit water sector concept notes
- Support for GCF Project Preparation Facility requests addressing water security challenges
The Communication Strategy consultancy specifically addresses the limited communication and public awareness of water supply issues relating to climate change. Key focus topics include: climate change and its associated impacts on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the water sector, water security, water resources management, water storage and rainwater harvesting, water demand, leakage, and water conservation.
Project Location
The project has island-wide impact across Saint Lucia, with particular focus on strengthening WASCO's operations and service delivery capabilities. The communication strategy and capacity building initiatives will benefit all communities served by WASCO throughout Saint Lucia.
Key stakeholder organizations within the Project's sphere of influence include:
- Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO)
- Ministry of Infrastructure
- Ministry of Agriculture
- Department of Sustainable Development
- WASCO Board and Senior Management
- National Utilities Regulatory Commission (NURC)
- Water Resources Management Agency (WRMA)
- General public and water consumers island-wide
The project recognizes that water security has become a national priority due to inadequate water supply and sewerage services island-wide in the wake of climate change and associated impacts. The water sector's cross-cutting nature impacts economic sectors including tourism, agriculture, industry, commerce, education and healthcare institutions across Saint Lucia.
