S/GWI Project Proposal Response from Paramaribo

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000122 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KWMN KPAO PHUM NS SUBJECT: S/GWI Project Proposal Response from Paramaribo REF: 09 STATE 132094 ¶1. (U) Post is pleased to submit three proposals for the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues Small Grants Initiative. In rank order, the proposals are from the following organizations: (1) Women's Business Group; (2) Women's Parliament Forum, and (3) Stichting Agrarische Vrouwen. Post notes that English-language errors (Suriname is a Dutch-speaking country) in the proposals have not been addressed fully and portions of texts are being transcribed verbatim from the originals. ¶2. (U) Organization: Women's Business Group Foundation - Paramaribo, Suriname Project Title : "Creation of Business Opportunities in Eco-Tourism for Women in the Interiors" ¶A. Summary of the Project Young women from the rural areas and the interiors of Suriname will be trained to become partners in economic development as Suriname continues to promote its burgeoning eco tourism industry. The Women's Business Group proposes to provide these young women trainings in order to acquire skills that will help them identify economic opportunities and set up home-based enterprises that cater to tourists. These business opportunities already have existing markets: from the manufacturing of herbal spa products to providing professional grooming services (hair and nail) to tourists who visit the interiors. The project will involve the collaboration of community-based organizations and will directly benefit close to two hundred women participants from seven of Suriname's twelve districts. ¶B. Identification of Problems and Opportunities Suriname prides itself in having a rainforest that is considered as "the lungs of the world." As part of the Amazon Rainforest, Suriname is fast becoming a destination for eco-tourists. Based on the increase in number of tourists in the last five years, eco-tourism is projected to become a top dollar contributor to Suriname's economy in the successive years. Presently, there is marginal investment in developing skills that are needed to create income generating activities in the interiors and the districts, areas which are the most attractive for eco-tourists. Income generating activities such as production of souvenirs and marketing of agricultural products are concentrated mostly in the town areas. This situation leaves out local communities in the interiors. There is a demand for products made from natural resources which Suriname has in abundance. The major challenge, however, is that the cultural knowledge on how to create these traditional crafts may become extinct because the young generation is looking for instant reward and gratification instead of sustainability. The most vulnerable people are the young women, who possess little or no education, no hope, no income, no future, and a lot of children to take care of. ¶C. Project Description The Women's Business Group (WBG) has identified several income-generating activities for project participants. These business opportunities already have existing markets: Grooming services (braiding of hair and hand/nail and foot care) * Production of textiles (to include tie dyeing, manufacturing of bags and bed linens, and embroidery) * Manufacturing of handmade soaps, bush baths, spa herbal treatments, body wraps and cosmetics * Setting up of spas at eco lodges (Marowijne, Sipaliwini, Para) * Setting up of bakeries to provide fresh bread to the lodges, specifically special cassava bread, and sweets and cookies made from ingredients that are locally-grown * Setting up daycare centers for the children of the working women * Weaving of baskets from straw and lianas and other material Comprehensive training programs will be provided to project participants (women between sixteen and thirty years of age) in seven of Suriname's twelve districts. These district-participants are: Saramacca, Coronie, Nickerie, Commewijne, Marowijne, Para and Sipaliwini. To guarantee sustainability, this program is based on four important pillars: (1) provide training on social skills; (2) provide credit to launch businesses; (3) collaborate with partner organizations/businesses in creating jobs; and (4) provide on-the-job-coaching. ¶D. Specific Activities * In collaboration with community-based organizations, WBG will conduct intake sessions with the women's groups, the local leadership of the villages, and other stakeholders in all seven districts. These sessions will include the conduct of a Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats (SWOT) analysis of each area. * Identification of income generating activities in target villages in the districts and the interiors. Inventory will be made of both new and existing activities. This activity will include the identification and drafting of the project components per target area * Identification of project participants and beneficiaries. Inventory will be made of eligible women who are in the position to participate in the project. Three groups of women will be selected from each participating village, with a maximum of twenty five women per district. * Hiring/contracting of the trainers/coaches/mentors. * Each participant will have the opportunity to apply for a maximum of four trainings during a one-year period. Trainings for group members must be interconnected. For instance, a group member can apply for training in textiles production while another member can attend the training on basket weaving, or training in the setting up of a daycare center for the working women in the neighborhood. Once group members have completed their trainings, they are expected to impart their knowledge to their employees. * In addition to crafts training, group members will also be trained on how to set up a business, meet regulatory standards, manufacturing practices, marketing, budgeting, bookkeeping, customer service, and leadership. * Upon completion of the training cycle, each group may write and submit a business plan for the WBG's consideration. Where possible, the WBG will support feasible projects by helping to set up some infrastructure for the women entrepreneurs to build upon. * The Women's Business Group will launch the Micro Credit Unit in March 2010, and will include people from the interiors as clients. Eligible clients can apply for micro credit to either set up a new business or support/expand existing ones. * After the implementation of the projects in all of the target areas, there will be a final presentation by all of the project participants in a grand exhibition in Paramaribo, and possibly in the districts level. Products and services that each group of participants offer will be promoted nationwide. ¶E. Expected Outcomes * Women in economically-depressed areas will have sources of incomes if they have skills to capitalize on business opportunities. * A maximum of 175 women from seven of Suriname's twelve district s will have been trained to set up a sustainable income generating activities. * Abundant natural resources will be used productively and ancient craft making tradition and practices will be preserved. * Upgrade the standard of products and services that are offered to tourists. * The women will be in a better financial position to provide for the needs of their offsprings. * The villages will become more self-sustaining instead of relying on Paramaribo. ¶F. Budget # Description days of execution Costs per day in US$ Total In US$ 01 Identification of the villages (7 districts) 10 500 5000 02 Meetings with women's groups and village leadership (7 districts) 10 500 5000 03 Material for visits 500 04 SWOT analyses in 7 districts/areas + description of challenges and opportunities 10 500 5000 05 Writing of the project per area 20 250 5000 06 Training in 12 branches ** 120 250 30000 07 Entrepreneurship training 60 250 15000 08 Training material (all trainings) manual etc. 1250 09 Evaluation (3 times) 10 500 5000 10 Reporting (written and video) 6 500 3000 12 Final Presentation in villages 7 500 3500 13 Presentation in Paramaribo 4 500 2000 14 Transport costs for 2 - 4 people per training 60 200 12000 Total 92,250.00 Note: Budget lines 06 and 07 include projected expenses for the following trainings: ¶1. setting up a business ¶2. basic bookkeeping knowledge ¶3. marketing ¶4. manufacturing of natural soaps ¶5. manufacturing of body cosmetics (scrubs, body lotions, body- and hair oils, bush baths) ¶6. bakery training (bread, snacks) ¶7. training to manage daycare centre ¶8. weaving baskets from straw and lianas ¶9. textiles - tie dye ¶10. textiles - manufacturing of bags, bed linens, and embroidery ¶11. manufacturing of sweets and cookies from Surinamese resources ¶12. conserving fruits ¶G. Description of the Recipient Organization Address: Frederick Derby straat # 64 b, Paramaribo POBox: 12728 ; Phone: 597-425940 Fax: 597-424697 ; Email: wobus@sr.net The Women's Business Group Foundation (WBG) was established on May 11, 1993 and is registered in the Public Registry Foundation under number 1076. In 1998, the Office of the Women's Business Group was established as the executive arm of the foundation. From 1998 until 2003 WBG was a partner of NOVIB OXFAM HOLLAND. The WBG has been fully self-supporting since 2004. The Women's Business Group's mission is to strengthen the productive capacity of female and male entrepreneurs, who conduct business nationally and internationally, as a means to facilitate social and economic development in Suriname. The main purpose of the WBG is poverty alleviation through the promotion of innovative entrepreneurship and "Social Enterprises." The WBG achieves its mission goal by providing entrepreneurial training, mediation and/or consultancy services, implementing community development projects, and by extending technical assistance. The WBG has for its target groups the following: entrepreneurs, in particular women entrepreneurs in the districts and the interiors; NGO's; Community Based Organizations (CBO's) and; grass root organizations. The Women's Business Group is comprised of the following units: (1) Business Advisory and Training Unit (BAT-Unit); (2) Project Development and Support Unit (POB-Unit); (3) Production Technology Unit(Pro-Tech),which provides clients technological information on how to increase production and improve quality, especially in the food and agriculture industry; (4) Low Income Shelter Program (LISP) Unit; and (5) the Micro Finance Unit, which is responsible for processing loan applications of micro entrepreneurs (individual credits and group loans). Expertise of the Women's Business Group: * The WBG has development experts who possess not only knowledge of macro economy but also experience in textile production, food processing, hospitality services, agriculture and handicraft. * The WBG has over 10 years experience in community development, particularly sustainable income generating activities. * The WBG is familiar with participatory methods such as Participatory Appraisal (PRA and Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA). * The WBG works frequently in the districts and hinterland and is therefore familiar with the traditions of the communities. * The WBG supported communities in the removal of unsanitary water and sanitation problems and is certified PAHO regarding the building of Ventilation Improved (VIP) latrines. ¶3. (U) Organization: Women Parliament Forum Project Title: "Kon Makandra: Training Initiative in Political and Policy Reform for the Regional Bodies of Suriname." ¶A. Summary of the Project This proposed project is a continuation of the "Gender and Development, A New Development Agenda" project that the Women Parliament Forum (WPF) started in 2008 and was financed by the Netherlands Institute of Higher Education (NUFFIC). The long-term objective of the 2008 project was for WPF to acquire a pool of expert trainers who will then transfer the knowledge to stakeholders at the district level and for political representatives to become lobbyist for gender mainstreaming. This goal has been met. Ten (10) members of WPF have been certified as trainers in gender and development. Another output is the handbook "Kon Makandra," which describes the t tool for gender mainstreaming in the district level. The objectives of the current project are to implement the handbook by providing training to members of the District and Resort Councils in the field of gender mainstreaming in municipality planning, budgeting and development, and to promote the participation of women in politics and management of the districts. NGO women leaders are also a target group for training since it is demonstrated that they could become political representatives on district and resort level. ¶B. Identification of Problems The government is promoting citizen participation in governance and budgeting through local decentralization programs, but inequality within the communities and the government institutional level is not taken seriously into account. An impact study done by WPF in 2005 demonstrated that in at least three districts, there is zero representation of women in District Councils. Table: Results of the District Council Participation 2005 District Number of women Number of Men Percentage Women ¶I. Paramaribo 7 14 33.3 II. Wanica 6 9 40 III. Nickerie 3 8 27.3 IV. Coronie 2 5 28.6 ¶V. Saramacca 0 9 0 VI. Commewijne 0 9 0 VII. Marowijne 4 5 44.4 VIII. Para 2 7 22.2 IX. Brokopondo 0 7 0 ¶X. Sipaliwini 2 7 22.2 Total/average 26 80 24.5% In the Government Policy Act, gender mainstreaming is an important tool in attaining gender equality. To help implement this policy, government has developed the Integrated Gender Action Plan in cooperation with civil organizations. The Integrated Gender Action Plan 2005-2010 provides guidance to Government and Civil Society to implement interventions for gender mainstreaming and women's equality. Gender budgeting pilot projects are part of the Integrated Action Plan. In March 2008, the Ministry of Home Affairs established a gender monitoring and advisory committee. An evaluation of the first Integrated Gender Action Plan 2000-2005 demonstrated that progress in every field is slow. (Note: WPF participates in the 2005-2010 monitoring and advisory committee.) ¶C. Purpose of the Project The project will be implemented in the three districts that still do not have women representatives in the council, namely: Commewijne, Saramacca and Brokopondo. The project will be implemented within a one-year period, to begin on November 1, 2010 and end on October 31, 2011. The Women's Parliament Forum aims to increase the participation of women in decision-making and gender mainstreaming in the Resort and Districts plans of the Decentralization Project. Gender equality and gender mainstreaming are internationally accepted as intervention strategy for sustainable development. The organization has proven its commitment in working on these goals. For the coming years WPF will focus its attention to political participation in district and resort levels since government decentralization means the strengthening of the local political structures. The next elections for the National Assembly and the District and Resort Councils is in 2010. Because of the structure and cultural composition of the districts described in this proposal, it is not evident that huge progress will be made in these areas in the elections 2010. This project will be implemented with the purpose that at least 35% participation will be achieved in 2015 in the three target districts while overall participation is increased to forty percent. WPF works with volunteers in expanding its activities and in meeting implementation targets. In order to sustain its mission, WPF has planned to reorganize its structure so that the Foundation continues to focus on the policy while the Executive Unit, fully staffed by professionals, will focus on the implementation of programs and projects. For the period 2010-2012, WPF plans to prioritize its training activities in the districts level and for the NGO sector in order to guarantee effective results. This is relevant due to the structured hearings of the local government on the district plans and budgets. Participation of women from NGOs will give them an opportunity to exercise leadership in the community and become effective intermediaries with local government. ¶D. Objectives The training objectives are: * Enhance understanding of Gender and Development (GAD) and governance concepts. * Gender budgeting as instrument for poverty eradication. * Appreciation of gender-related governance issues and concern. * Improve analytical skills in planning and budgeting through case examples of strategies and practices. ¶E. Specific Activities and Expected Outcomes Activities Purpose Expected Results Indicators Target Group 1.Design training plan based on Kon Makandra gender and development Handbook Hands-on skill development -DR and RR strengthened to perform in politics -NGO woman leaders stimulated to participate in politics Training plan in place - District Councils and Resort Councils. 2.. Implement training To give tools and transfer knowledge - target groups trained according training plan -Number gender mainstreamed training executed -number of certified participants - reports of training events - District Councils and Resort Councils. 3.. Midterm and final evaluation To assess progress and recommend improvements -Resort and District plan 2011 takes into account gender mainstreaming -WPF board uses modern tools -90% of midterm targets meet. - 95% of overall goals meet. - WPF board -Trainees ¶F. Detailed budget : USD 30,500 (Thirty thousand and five hundred US dollars) DETAILED BUDGET (all amounts in USD) The activities are in bold whereas the sub activities are not. Budget line / Activity Sub-activity Activities and other costs US Global Women's Issues resources in USD Other source(s) of financing Activities 1 Component A training initiative for regional bodies A.1 Commewijne 7,000 0 A.1.1 Training curriculum 1,000 0 A.1.2 Training material 1,000 0 A.1.3 Transport costs 1,500 0 A.1.4 costs for board members (travel/fuel allowance, presence allowance & overnight stay & meal),etc 1,500 0 A.1.5 costs for participants (travel/fuel allowance & overnight stay & meal),etc 1,000 0 A.1.6 Communicate the initiative through media 500 0 A.1.7 publicity & other related costs 500 0 A.2 Saramacca 7,500 0 A.2.1 Training curriculum, 1,000 0 A.2.2 Training material 1,500 0 A.2.3 Transport costs 1,000 0 A.2.4 costs for board members (travel/fuel allowance, presence allowance & overnight stay & meal),etc 1,500 0 A.2.5 costs for participants (travel/fuel allowance & overnight stay & meal),etc 1,500 0 A.2.6 Communicate the initiative through media 500 0 A.2.7 publicity & other related costs 500 0 A.3 Brokopondo 11,000 0 A.3.1 Training curriculum 2,000 0 A.3.2 Training material 2,000 0 A.3.3 Transport costs 1,000 0 A.3.4 costs for board members (travel/fuel allowance, presence allowance & overnight stay & meal),etc 2,000 0 A.3.5 costs for participants (travel/fuel allowance & overnight stay & meal),etc 2,500 0 A.3.6 Communicate the initiative through media 500 0 A.3.7 publicity & other related costs 1,000 0 Total Component A 25,500 0 Contingencies 5,000 0 T O T A L 30,500 ¶G. Description of the Recipient Organization Principal Contact: Minouche Bromet, Position: Chair Telephone: ( 597) 8595407 Mailing Address: Blijendaalweg 6, Paramaribo, SURINAME E-mail: vpfsur@surimail.sr / zr_minouche@yahoo.com The Women's Parliament Forum (WPF) was founded in July 1994 when a group of forty women from all districts of Suriname held discussions on women and development issues as part of the preparation to participate in the International Conference on Women and Development in Cairo. The conclusion of these discussion was that women are not heard because they lack the power to influence the decision making process. The main goal of WPF is to increase awareness in society of the interrelation between politics and gender, and encourage the participation of women in political and administrative decision-making processes on the basis of equality. Technical and Management Profile of WPF # Member Education ¶1. Minouche Bromet Chair, Co- Founder of Foundation Gods Love Kwarasan, Secretary of Foundation Eddy & Ingrid Law Student ¶2. Ingrid Deekman, Vice-chair treasure from 2004-2006 vice chair since 2006 BA in Social Cultural Development ¶3. Tanja Darnoud, Treasurer since 2006 BS in Business Management, Project management certificate, accounting certificate ¶4. Cheryl Daal Secretary 1 Drs. In Public Administration, gaining MPA in Governance ¶5. Lilian Pregers Secretary 2 since 2006 Middle Management ¶6. Lydia Nok, Board Member former vice chair 2000-2004 Middle Management ¶7. Natazia Sitaram, Board Member BS in Public Administration ¶8. Iris Gilliad, Advisory board 1 Board member from 2000-2001 secretary 2001-2004 chair 2004-2010 MA in Public Sector management, MSc International relations ¶9. Chintia Lapar, Advisory board 2 Middle management Summary of WPF projects related to the proposal: * Since 1994 WPF has been involved in awareness campaigns to elect more women in politics. * In 2005 developed a "Vote for a Woman" handbook. WPF also worked with the UNDP on voters education project and held meetings in several districts. * Since 2000 WPF have conducted awareness activities and carried out training in gender responsive budget, to enhance the capacity of the regional bodies to work on the goals set for meeting the Millennium Development Goals on gender equality and poverty eradication. * 2004 gender budgeting workshop with support of Netherlands Embassy and Unifem consultant Marsha Caddle. * 2008 tailor made course submitted and approved by Nuffic for implementation train the trainers on gender and development. References: * Drs. Mireille Brunings (chair WPF 2000-2004),PHD candidate, chair of advisory board Gender Action Plan Ministry of Home Affairs, brunings@sr.net * Drs. Thera van Osh , (co-author) of gender budgeting handbook. Trained the trainers of WPF in Nuffic project Q-Advise consultant in the Netherlands , thera.vanosch@gmail.com ¶4. (U) Organization: Stichting Agrarische Vrouwen Project Title: "From Farm to Consumer: A Sustainable and Innovative Life Improvement Approach in the District of Commewijne" ¶A. Summary of the Project Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides can cause land degradation and damage to the environment. This is the case in the district of Commewijne where poor farmers have over-exploited their land. These farmers are not aware of the negative effects that application of inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, and intensive cultivation methods might have on the biodiversity and ecology of the habitat where they plant and the immediate environmental surroundings where they live. Other causes of land degradation may include salinity, highly saturated soils, overgrazing, deforestation, and pollution of soils. Stichting Agrarische Vrouwen aims to promote a sustainable livelihood program by educating vegetable farmers on proper soil cultivation methods and safe practices in food production. ¶B. Identification of Problems Small scale vegetable farmers are increasingly investing their limited resources in cultivation of cash crops as they see this as the most promising income generating activity. However, they face problems of: (1) poor quality of seeds, which in turn yield poor quality crops that are susceptible to pests and diseases; and (2) low fertilizer efficiency. As a result, more and more agrochemical inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are used to overcome these problems. The combination of low fertilizer efficiency and high use of synthetic pesticides means that this activity is rapidly becoming environmentally unsustainable and has resulted in land degradation. The high requirements for agrochemical inputs in combination with fluctuating market prices risk make these activities economically unsustainable. There is also a lack of knowledge, skills, and equipment for food processing, professional packaging and labeling, and marketing. ¶C. Project Description The project is designed to: (1) educate farmers on how nitrogen and other essential nutrients contribute to long-term soil fertility; and (2) how to increase crop productivity through the use of composted organic wastes instead of using chemical fertilizers. Women project participants will be trained in food processing and in the marketing of products. The overall goal of this project is to contribute to the development of economically viable vegetable production, food processing and marketing systems by small farmers in Commewijne without compromising the natural resource base. To achieve this goal, improved technologies for soil management to mitigate land degradation will be introduced using a combination of on-farm testing and participatory experimentation with compost and Integrated Pest Management Control and a quality chain management system. ¶D. Activities * Conduct Train the Trainers * Provide trainings on sustainable agriculture * Provide trainings on food processing * Provide trainings on product marketing Implementation Plan ¶1. Phase Preparation month 1 1.1 Project is approved and signed between partners 1.2 Development assistance funds is available 1.3 Plan a workshop with all participants to inform them of the execution of the project proposal (SAV, consultant and trainers ¶2. Phase: Start up month 2 2.1. Preparing training curricula and material 2.2 Participatory Environmental check mapping ¶3. Phase: Training phase and purchases Month 3 - Month 16 Farmleaders - Train the trainers in a course in livelihood - Train the trainers course in Farm Management - Train the trainers course in Marketing and Production Planning - Train the trainers course in hygiene codes for Food processing(HCCAP) For farmers - Participatory environment check mapping in the community/workshop, - Training in Integrated Pest Management - Training in advanced Global Gap, and composting - Establishment of a quality chain system for inspections of quality and food safety - Training in Land management (soil management/ soil sampling, crop health and crop sampling for residue analyses - Training in land- and water management - Training in livelihoods 3.1 Prepare training for farmers 3.2 -Purchase maps, pens, exercise books 3.3. Purchase equipment and tools for processing facility 3.4Purchase Cooled vehicle to transport vegetables -Prepare a map for use in participatory environmental check mapping , - Rent buses Conduct soil sampling analyses and monitoring at ten participants agro-plots on chemical and physical factors Sample ten agro plots and test crops for residue analyses and monitor farmers fields Reporting and closing Month 17and 18 4.1 . Submit half year reports on monitored project activities to donor and stakeholders and provide progress reports to farmers, community members and stakeholders. Schedule of Activities Activities Months 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 Workshop with all participants /preparation, purchases X Participatory Environmental check mapping, Livelihood, Farm Management X X 5 Advanced GLOBAL GAP, X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 6 IPM, X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X ¶7. Land and Water Management X X X X X X X X X X XQ X X X X X ¶8. Food processing and HCCAP X X X X X X X X X 9 Marketing and Production Planning X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 10 Farmers Field Day X 11 Monitoring & Evaluation( 2 reports) X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 12 Writing End Report /Closing of project X X ¶E. Expected Outcomes * Capacity of farmers is improved * Farmers organization will be strengthened by the specific train the trainers courses * Farmers will adopt the necessary changes in farming activities * Farmers are trained in all aspects of GLOBAL GAP training for food security purposes * Farmers will acquire skills for food processing operation * Existing facilities will be equipped and can be used for processing activities * Farmers will learn professional marketing system * Food is packed properly, labeled and transported to consumers ¶F. Budget Expenditure Category Training /Seminar/Workshops, Education / Awareness Workshop with all participants 750,00 Participatory Environmental check mapping, 800,00 Livelihood, 1500,00 Farm Management, 1500,00 4550.00 Equipment/ Material/Tools RVS tables, coolers, knives special clothing, special booths, gloves, proper package material, labeling inclusive bar-coding, boiler 15,000.00 Contracts/ Technical Assistance Contracts with Consultants in Advanced GLOBAL GAP, 7,500.00 IPM, 7,500.00 Land en Watermanagement, 7,500.00 Food processing and HCCAP 7,500.00 Marketing and Production Planning, 7,500.00 Farmer field day 800.00 40,300.00 Monitoring & Evaluation 7,500.00 Cooled Vehicle ( to transport vegetables) 20,000.00 ¶7. Lab testing 5,000.00 ¶8. Administration 7,500.00 TOTAL (US$) 99,850.00 ¶G. Description of Recipient Organization Name of Organization: Stichting Agrarische Vrouwen Mailing Address: Pandit Tilakhdariweg 11-13 Tamanredjo Physical Address: Pandit Tilakhdariweg 11-13 Tamanredjo Telephone: 08767867 E-mail: gerdaka@hotmail.com Principal Contact: Gerda Beckles-Kajuffa - chairlady Stichting Agrarische Vrouwen (SAV) is a non-profit organization that focuses on the development of the district of Commewijne. SAV was established on the 29th of May 1996 and is registered at the Ministry of Justice. The organization has been busy with a group of twenty five farmers, mostly women, in the last three years. Since 2006 the organization has been actively involved with these women trying to make them aware of their capabilities. A farmers market has already been built and the processing facility has been constructed to meet the required standards. Farmers have been involved with trainings but need to become more business minded and need to invest more to benefit fully from their production activities. Presently, agricultural produce are delivered to customers three times per week. Farmers are paid on a weekly basis. From their earnings 10% is subtracted, aside from the monthly fee of SRD 10 that farmers pay to cover administrative costs. SAV rents machines and other agricultural tools and equipment that farmers need to work their lands. Aside from organizing training/workshops for farmers and providing assistance in all aspects of farm production (from purchasing agricultural input on behalf of farmers to marketing the harvest), Stichting Agrarische Vrouwen also networks with regional farmers associations and acts as intermediary between the farmers and the government. Stichting Agrarische Vrouwen is a member of the Caribbean Farmers Network and partners with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Inter-American Institute on Agriculture (IICA) in implementing its vegetable farm development projects. The management, staff, and consultants of SAV consist of two agronomists, a food technologist, a water management specialist, a production and marketing manager, and a sociologist. NAY