Canada donates $101,000 to support local initiatives in the Dominican Republic

The Canadian High Commission announced a donation of $101,000 CAD to three Dominican NGOs through Canada Local Initiatives Fund (CFLI).

After a competitive proposal process, Lifeline Ministries, kibeqwatiand the Dominican Olympic Committee were selected to be part of nine CFLI projects in the Eastern Caribbean for 2024-2025.

Over $60,000 to Lineline and Kibe’Kuati

Following last year’s success, Lifeline Ministries, Inc. will receive $30,000 for the second phase of its Lifeline Safe Haven Project, which provides safe housing and support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The funding will also strengthen the reception services of the local SGBV helpline, which is supported by the Bureau of Gender Affairs and the Maria Holder Memorial Trust.

Kibe’Kuati Inc. will receive an additional $36,000 to expand its education and recovery program for victims of sexual violence in the Galinago Territory. The program includes academic mentoring, job training, child care support, parenting classes, and sexual violence counseling for victims and perpetrators to promote healthier relationships.

Canadian High Commissioner Her Excellency Lilian Chatterjee expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership, saying, “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Lifeline Ministries Inc. and Kibe’Kuati Inc., whose 2023 Project embodies an innovative and community-based approach to addressing sexual and gender-based violence. These organizations are providing critical support to their communities, the Dominican social services sector, and the country as a whole. We commend their unwavering commitment to ending gender-based violence and building a safer Dominica.”

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Dominican Olympic Committee

In a new collaboration, Canada is providing $35,000 to the Dominican Olympic Committee for the project “Rising Tides: Essential Skills to Empower Coastal Communities.” The project targets marginalized groups and provides water safety training and marine education to promote environmental stewardship and reduce water-related incidents in and around Soufriere.

“This is our first CFLI collaboration with the Dominican Olympic Committee,” said High Commissioner Chatterjee. “This youth-driven project advances several of Canada’s priority areas in the Eastern Caribbean, including promoting the empowerment of women and girls and prioritizing diversity and inclusion when taking climate action. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact this project will have on Dominican coastal communities.”

The CFLI supports small, high-impact projects in developing countries. This year, the Canadian High Commission awarded $300,000 to organizations in Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including the Grenada Community Development Agency and the Do-Nation Foundation Inc. in St. Lucia.