The Circular Economy: CARILED project – a comparative study from the OECS

Presented by Felix Finisterre, OECS Sub-regional Coordinator4th June, 2015

Traditional Economy – subsistence but sustainable:

Characterized by being: Sustainable & Community-

based (Coup-de-main, lend-a-hand, maroon, gyap)

Common property (forests, beaches & marine resources, grazing lands for animals,

Family enterprises (absence of tenure to land

Subsistence economies dependent upon the sustainable exploitation and utilization of natural resources

Logging (timber for shelter, burial, commerce)

Farming (family kitchen gardens, market crops)

Fishing Charcoal Boat building Furniture making Small trades/services

Economic transition – ecological impactsHistorical dependence on mono-crop/primary product (sugarcane, bananas)Serious ecological – clearing of slopes for banana cultivationNegatiuve impact of globalization & trade liberalization – loss of market protectionResult in devastationn of the rural economy – unemployemnt, migration, illicit crops, viz. ganja

Shrinking of the public sector – loss of the PSIPAll states of the OECS grouping face fiscal challenges – widening revenue/expenditure gap & debt trap:

cut back/reduction in social programs expressions of desire - reduce size of public

sector shrinking of the PSIP (capital works) state initiated temporary employment

programs (NICE, NEP)

The idea of the Circular Economy – old wine in new bottles? “Green economy,” “Sustainable production and consumption”. Two of the many sobriquets to describe an approach to development that is:

People-centred Ecologically sensitive Dependent on renewable sources of clean energy Seeks to recycle as opposed to increasing waste

Local in LED means…•Optimizing local resources and local capacities to build local potential•Driving forces are economic stakeholders in the communities, municipalities and cities •Shared benefits are reaped by the community in working together•While focused on local, there are links to the regional, national and international levels

Economic in LED refers to… •Seizing business opportunities - effectively utilising labour, capital & other resources to achieve local priorities.

•Supporting entrepreneurial initiatives (formal or informal, micro or large)

Facilitating market access & creating a climate conducive to investment & business

Improved facilities to serve the collective interests of the local communities

Development in LED means…•Economic activities should help to protect the environment and quality of life•Strengthening local business to achieve sustainability goals•Holistic view of LED, covering not only the economic but also the social, politico-administrative and cultural aspectsSustainable development is at the heart of LED

✔Who are the stakholders? (Make sure private sector is there!)

✔ Local Economic Profile, Value Chain Analysis

✔LED vision, goal, objectives and actions(Agribusiness? Tourism? Others? Need to consider Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability and Poverty Reduction!)

Focusing and prioritizing(Are LED actions market-driven? What are quick wins? What can be learned from other experiences?)

Results! Results!(How to monitor and evaluate, Adjust the LED Action Plan)

Is you community Business-Friendly and Competitive?

Guiding PrinciplesHolistic approach – social, environmental, economicBased on a shared visionA range of initiatives: short, medium and long-term to build partnerships and confidence Involve local champions – bring commitment, credibility, ability to unite stakeholdersIncludes capacity building of management/implementing teamsA participatory approach - Owned by multi stakeholdersIntegrated approach to monitoring and evaluation

Sustainable LED……. LED is Sustainable if:•It is market-driven, gender-sensitive and environmentally sound and economically viable•Contributes to poverty reduction•Follows participatory, inclusive processes that enable collaboration among LGUs, Private Sector, Civil Society and local communities in decision- making and management•Promotes cooperation and partnerships as well as responsibility and accountability in behavior and relationships

Caribbean Local Economic DevelopmentSix-year US$25 million targeting all CARICOM member states: Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad/TobagoThe project in funded by the Canadian Government, Dept of Foreign Affairs, Trade and DevelopmentAnd is implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)