World University Service of Canada

Published purpose

This project aims to increase the economic prosperity of women and youth in more sustainable agricultural markets. The project also seeks to promote women’s leadership and decision-making in the agriculture sector. Climate change and climate-induced natural disasters present a major risk to crop production in the Caribbean, where agriculture is an important source of employment for rural communities. The project targets 5 low to middle-income Caribbean countries, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Suriname, with the greatest potential for climate smart economic growth. Project activities include: (1) engaging multiple stakeholders, including established country partners, to create links between key market actors; (2) providing training, information sharing, and outreach to women and youth to strengthen their capacity; (3) coordinating gender sensitive social outreach and engagement campaigns targeting market actors, to address barriers and enhance access to inclusive, sustainable and climate resilient agricultural market systems; and (4) fostering climate resilient approaches (re-orienting agricultural development for sustainability), at every stage and via every market actor in the agricultural value chain. The project expects to benefit up to 48,000 people, including 12,000 farmers (of which 75% are women or youth) and their families. The project also aims to reach 340,000 people through the project’s communications efforts.