Catalyzing Urban Transformation in Haiti

More about the project

The project aims to enhance capacity and policy guidance for effective solid waste and market management in urban areas, specifically in Cap Haïtien and Les Cayes, Haiti. An essential element of the project was to develop capacity-building programmes for local government staff, enabling them to manage solid waste services more effectively. The project team conducted a comprehensive capacity assessment, including a document scan, interviews, and questionnaires, to identify gaps and needs at various institutional levels. This approach incorporated semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and observations to ensure the accuracy of the findings.

The methodology was carefully tailored to Haiti's unique local government dynamics, with a focus on sensitive issues such as gender, youth, and climate resilience. The capacity-building strategy proposed both short-term interventions and a long-term programme, aiming for replication and scalability. It identified potential capacity-building providers and key learning practices to be included in the curriculum, ensuring the project's sustainability. Additionally, potential study visit locations were suggested to enhance the learning experience and reinforce the programme's impact.

Madame Sara - the symbol of marketplaces in Haiti

The training programme incorporated gender as a crucial element in addressing various challenges in Haiti. In the marketplaces of Haiti and among the diverse group of vendors and traders, one will find the distinctive presence of special women who represent resilience and entrepreneurship - Madame Sara. These women have a special and central position in Haiti's market history, through their work they have shaped its economic and social structure. At the national level, Madame Sara National (MSN) comprises multifaceted economic actors who contribute to various aspects of Haiti's economic landscape, from supporting local agriculture to being key players in distribution and trade networks. The adaptability of the members and their diversified roles reflect their resilience in navigating economic fluctuations and meeting the diverse needs of their communities. The training was designed so that this traditional job did not disappear and would stay on in an improved form. 

Stakeholders

The stakeholders involved in the training are divided into government entities and civil society organisations. Government stakeholders include local institutions in Cap-Haitien and Les Cayes, such as the Town Hall, and elected bodies like the Administrative Council of the Municipal Section (CASEC), the Municipal Section Assembly (ASEC), and Commune Development Councils (CDC). The programme also involves coordination with regional and national government departments, including various ministries and decentralised state services. Civil society stakeholders include private sector associations, community-based organisations (CBOs), and NGOs, especially those active in solid waste management, gender issues, youth, minorities, and environmental sustainability. Key partners include local capacity building institutes and international stakeholders like USAID, the World Bank, and other donors. Building trust among these stakeholders, facilitated by organisations like the Institut de Formation du Sud (IFOS), is crucial for the programme's success.