World University Service of Canada

Published purpose

The Plantation Communities project (PCP) was launched in 2000. PCP was designed to enhance the socio-economic conditions of the people living and working in and around the tea plantation sector. It has made substantive progress towards empowering communities by strengthening their capacity to influence the decisions that affect them; enhancing the communities' awareness of their rights and responsibilities: facilitating improved interrelations between estate residents and employers, and with neighbouring village communities; and providing economic opportunities for residents who are not plantation workers. This second phase (PCP II) continues to pursue the objectives of the first phase (PCP I) by focusing on the following areas: worker welfare and rights, strengthening key organizations; building the skills and knowledge of individuals; and improving livelihoods. Building on the accomplishments of PCP I, PCP II replicates the project in a much larger number of plantations. At the same time, it continues to engage PCP I participants and encourages networking between plantation communities, owners, managers, and stakeholders involved in both phases.