GROS ISLET, SAINT LUCIA - The Archbishop Kelvin Felix Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre (AKFAPC) in Marisule, Gros Islet has been awarded XCD$13,500 in grant funding from the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, which is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (GEF SGP UNDP).

Chairman of the GEF SGP UNDP National Steering Committee (NSC), Mr. Julius Polius, made the presentation to Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of the Province of Castries, on 18 May at the Pastoral Centre. This is the first planning grant for the Eighth Operational Programme Period of the GEF (OP 8) and begins the implementation of the second phase of the Centre's Green Plan, which was developed between 2022 and 2025.

The funding is intended to help the organisation undertake research, organise meetings and consultations to design what is likely to be Saint Lucia’s largest solarised aquaponics facility, which is located within the most densely populated section of Saint Lucia. The grant will also facilitate the development of a business plan as well as a marketing plan.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr. Giles Romulus, the GEF SGP UNDP National Coordinator for Saint Lucia, gave a synopsis of the programme’s  investment in Saint Lucia since 2012, which currently exceeds XCD$28 million. He  also noted that the programme had contributed US$135,000 to the development of the AKFAPC Green Plan and the implementation of Phase 1, which included an energy audit; improvement in rainwater harvesting; development of apiculture; and changing of all bulbs to LEDs.

He explained further that during Phase 2, there would be the establishment of a medium to high tech aquaponics facility, based on the successes of the facility developed and implemented by the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities, which was substantially funded by GEF SGP UNDP. This facility is likely to be as large as 23,000 square feet if adequate funding is raised for project implementation.

In his remarks, Archbishop Malzaire welcomed this development and noted that this project was returning him to farming, a profession he was most familiar with as a young man growing up, because his father was a farmer. He noted further that the work of the church is well summarised in Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical Laudato si' ("On Care for Our Common Home"). He blessed the project and expressed his optimism for this innovative initiative.

Finally, it was noted that this scientific project is beginning when the Catholic Church had just launched a series of lectures on Science and Faith; when the national cry for Food and Nutritional Security was at its highest and increasing in intensity with the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia the lead proponent;  and when there was a growing emphasis on organic products and healthy lifestyles.