?After several years of existence, Government distributed yesterday more than $2.7 million from the Green Fund to two community organisations.
Planning, Housing and Development Minister Dr Emily Dick-Forde presented cheques totalling $1,914,806 and $852,281 to Fondes Amandes Community Group and Greenlight Network, respectively, for two projects. Fondes Amandes will use the money to continue its reafforestation initiative in the Fondes Amandes watershed in St Ann's.
The funding is to complete the project within WASA's lands in the watershed, upgrading infrastructure of the facilities on the site and to continue outreach/educational activities. And the Greenlight Network's will use its funds to undertake a plastic recycling initiative. It's the first project of the kind being undertaken in T&T. Citizens will be able to dispose of their household plastic waste in a manner that will ensure protection of the environment.
Dick-Forde, in addressing the ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, on Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, said legislation was expected to be amended shortly to allow a larger number of community groups to apply for grants under the Green Fund, which was established in 2004. The fund provides grants to community groups and organisations for projects such as environmental conservation, reafforestation or remediation.