LOOK FOR PARTNERS
AND OTHER SUPPORT
The entities below support community activities in one form or another, either through funding, hands-on involvement, training, technical assistance, or partnering. Of special note, community groups can seek such support for projects from companies that have community development as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR). CSR requires companies (either by law or public expectation) to include the welfare of the society as a direct business concern.
The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
of large businesses in Guyana
A must-have aspect of a large company's CSR is to support the improvement of communities especially, but not only, in the location or region where it operates. CSR provides a good umbrella for community residents and groups to seek support from these businesses to develop their communities. To quote ExxonMobil-Guyana, for example: "we seek to contribute to the social and economic progress of the country and local communities where we operate. We believe that maintaining a fundamental respect for human rights, responsibly managing our impacts on communities and making valued social investments are integral to the success and sustainability of our business."
This is the standard CSR language for companies in Guyana (and elsewhere) in, for example, large-scale mining and manufacturing, and oil exploration and production.
Furthermore, Communities-GUYANA recommends that the local law should mandate large companies to have Community Development Agreements (CDAs) with the communities within their footprint. CDAs should not be a one-size-fits-all arrangement. They must be negotiated by the company and community leaders, local councils, and the local government ministry.
Scotiabank
Scotiabank Community Program
In the words of the bank itself: The Scotiabank Community Program unites all of our charitable efforts under one umbrella, allowing us to have a stronger impact on a cause we care about: helping children.
The Scotiabank Community Program is the foundation of Scotiabank's philanthropic efforts in Guyana and incorporates both corporate giving and employee volunteerism. Our goal is to give hope to youth by supporting initiatives in education, sports, health, arts and culture, and the environment.
Scotiabank's community involvement programmes are an important element of Scotiabank Group's commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.
Guyana charity organizations in the US
US diaspora support
This is a list of Guyana Charity Organizations based within the United States. Each of these organizations focuses on different needs within Guyana, including community development, education, the environment, health, culture, and business. The list includes the names of each organization, location in the United States, web address, with a blurb for each.
Police Station Management Committees (SMCs)
Monitoring and supporting police stations
SMCs were launched by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in 1996 by then Commissioner Laurie Lewis. Their main objectives are to monitor the performance of police stations by both police and civilians, and to enable the GPF to offer a better quality of service through help and support from members of the community. SMCs include in their membership both police and residents.
Another focus of SMCs has been to assist their associated stations with the maintenance of station buildings, equipment and vehicles. Some of these committees, have, however, engaged in community outreach and development work.
Several SMCs have been established (and resuscitated after fading) over the decades, including those associated with police stations at Beterverwagting, Fort Wellington, Springlands, Blairmont, Brickdam, Enmore, and Golden Grove.
Community Organized for the Restoration of the Environment (C.O.R.E.)
Enhancing the physical environment of communities
C.O.R.E. is a 2017 initiative by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (now Ministry of Public Works) and seeks to empower and better communities through the formation of community groups aimed at the beautification of the environment. Community work is done through groups of 10 persons spread across the regions. The initiative is designed to supplement the work of the Special Projects Unit of the ministry in tasks such as environmental upgrade, drainage, sanitation improvement, and general aesthetics.
The ministry provides workers with all of the gear and equipment needed, such as safety boots, reflective vests, shovels, brush cutters, and rakes. Workers are also paid by the ministry.
The Roraima Fund
The Roraima Fund was founded in September 2000 to help catalyze the development of good governance in Guyana.
The fund operates by identifying and financing local Guyanese projects that are likely to contribute to positive improvements in governance and the society at large. Projects cover areas such as youth initiatives, socio-economic and leadership projects, research and development, and community initiatives. The Fund is in the process of updating its agenda.
University of Guyana
BA program in Youth and Community Development
If you want to make a difference in the lives of young people and in creating stronger communities, then this program from UG is the one for you. A degree in Youth and Community Development will enable you to work with young people as individuals and as a social group. In addition, the program provides you with the training to work with stakeholders and decision-makers to transform the physical, economic, and social space of communities.
Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF)-Guyana
For large community projects in (i) local infrastructure, (ii) capacity building, (iii) vulnerability reduction (to mitigate the impact of economic and social shocks, natural disasters and man-made hazards); and (iv) good governance (to facilitate broad-based sustainable growth, social inclusion, and poverty reduction).
BNTF: building more resilient, sustainable communities
Guyana Islamic Trust
In the words of GIT itself: The GIT works at the grassroots level by responding to the educational and social welfare needs of individuals, families, and depressed communities across Guyana. Its goal is to illuminate society through the beacon lights of ‘Faith & Righteous Works’.
Community policing
Police-community partnering: Building safer communities
Community policing in Guyana commenced in 1976, with the objective to harness the energies of willing members of communities across Guyana in support of the work of the Police, to achieve a crime-free society, and to be responsive, together with the Police, to the law and order needs of communities.
The relaunch of the Community Policing Groups (CPG) in November 2020 saw membership of the organization increase to 3,223 with 182 active groups.
Environmental Protection Agency
Since 2000, the EPA has been encouraging the formation of Environmental Clubs in schools and communities. The Santa Rosa Conservation Club in Region 1, was the first environmental club to become affiliated with the EPA in 2000. Over the years, more than one hundred (100) environmental clubs have become so affiliated. The EPA is ready to assist groups desirous of forming environmental clubs, particularly in developing their plan of activities.
Community Environmental Clubs
Sustainable Livelihood Entrepreneurial Development (SLED)
The SLED program is an initiative aimed at business and job creation in communities across the country, and provides funding to individual persons or organizations for the support of entrepreneurial activities, particularly in the areas of agriculture and livestock. SLED works by distributing interest-free cash grants to registered groups and associations for investing in expansion projects.