Networks to fight poverty

CAN NGOs and CBOs work collaboratively to address poverty in their areas? This and other related issues will be addressed during a series of two-day consultations on the establishment of Civil Society Networks to be held throughout Trinidad and Tobago over the next four months. Hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister (Social Services Delivery), in collaboration with the European Union, these consultations aim to improve the ability of civil society organisations to deliver effective poverty reduction services and interventions in the communities they serve. The establishment of Civil Society Networks throughout Trinidad and Tobago is one of three poverty reduction pillars of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP).

The PRP aims to support Government’s social and human development agenda by formulating a national poverty reduction strategy responsive to the needs of the impoverished and vulnerable sub-populations as well as decentralising the delivery of social and poverty reduction services. Civil society is seen as an essential sector in the process of decentralising the delivery of Government’s social services. Gary Tagallie, manager of the Poverty Reduction Programme, surmised the purpose of the regional consultations: “The overall objective of these consultations is to engage civil society organisations in information-sharing and collaborative activity for the sustainable development of their region.

It’s about capitalising on synergies, eliminating duplication and developing strategies for establishing and maintaining a network of Civil Society organisations at the municipal level.” For the month of September, consultations will be held in Tobago, and in the San Juan/Laventille and Sangre Grande municipal regions. Nine other consultations will be held in municipal regions throughout Trinidad and Tobago by year’s end. NGOs or CBOs interested in finding out more on dates and venues of upcoming consultations, are asked to contact the Office of the Prime Minister (Social Services Delivery) at 625-2146 or 624-6567 ext 2146.