By Kisean Joseph
Two local organisations headed by women have each been awarded US $25,000 grants from the Caribbean Feminist Climate Justice Movement (CFCJM) and the Global Fund for Women to support initiatives addressing climate action and gender justice in the twin-island nation.
They are the Antigua and Barbuda Network of Rural Women Producers and Processors (ABNRWPP), led by President Dr Saran King, and the Swetes Village Uncovered.
“We are extremely grateful to the Global Fund for Women for awarding us this grant,” Dr King said. “We hope this will take us a step closer to our goals, not just with the agro-processing factory but also to impact and improve the lives of women in agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda.”
The organization, established in 2013 and registered in 2018, has already made significant strides in agricultural innovation. With 11 active members, ABNRWPP has expanded from crop farming to producing value-added products including jams, jellies, crafts, and dehydrated fruits. Their recent successes include a pilot program producing sweet potato and cassava bread mash in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
The second recipient, Swetes Village Uncovered, emerged from a body pond watershed restoration project and has grown into a dynamic community organization with approximately 30 members spanning different age groups. The group has already implemented several successful initiatives, including distributing water tanks to 15 female backyard gardeners and running environmental education programmes for local youth.
“We need to leave a legacy for the generations to come,” said treasurer, Arian Fleming-Thomas. “Climate change is happening because we’re not taking care of our environment, but we have to start somewhere. Each one has to play their part in making sure that we preserve what we have.”
Fleming’s organisation plans to use the grant to construct a small museum showcasing local artifacts and continue its summer youth programme, which teaches children about environmental preservation and agricultural practices. Their current projects include community beautification efforts, bulk waste removal, and assistance for physically challenged residents with property maintenance.
The grants are part of a larger regional initiative supporting 22 grassroots organizations across 10 Caribbean countries. The programme specifically targets organizations addressing climate change impacts on marginalized groups, including women, gender-diverse people, Indigenous and rural communities, and people of African and Indian descent.
Swetes Village Uncovered has already demonstrated innovation in sustainable practices, with members producing wines from local fruits, creating herbal teas, and crafting items from reclaimed wood. Their summer programme, running for two weeks each year, teaches children about recycling, reusing materials, and plant propagation.
The funding also represents a significant step forward in supporting local, women-led initiatives that combine climate action with gender justice.
