1. PUENTE IN THE CARIBBEAN PROGRAMME PHASE 2: Internship on Social Protection Strategies. October 26 November 3, 2009 Santiago, Chile. Presentation: Progress Report on Work Plan. Barbados

2. OVERALL COUNTRY OBJECTIVE The Government of Barbados, through its main Social Service Ministry - Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment, Urban and Rural Development, main focus is to strengthen the institutional framework, for the delivery of personal social services to the vulnerable and the marginalized. This effort is to alleviate and eradicate poverty.

3. Strategic Emphasis 1. The provision of effective safety nets. 2. Empowerment of individuals, families and communities 3. The facilitation of equality, equity and social inclusion for all persons in society 4. Urban and rural renewal. 5. The enhancement of social policy formulation and decision-making. 6. The seamless delivery of personal social services.

4. ACTIVITIES Initial discussions were held with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Care, Constitution Empowerment Urban and Rural Development on the outcomes of the Workshop held in St. Lucia in May 2009. A Report on the Introductory Workshop was submitted to the Ministry of Social Care. Heads and Deputy Heads of agencies under the Ministry of Social Care were sensitized to the project. A Meeting was held with the Minister of Social Care to discuss the proposed project. The project was sanctioned.

5. Agreement on the name and conceptual framework of the project were arrived at. The project’s title is ‘I.S.E.E. Bridge.’ This title incorporates the new operational framework to be utilized in the delivery of social services and the empowerment of persons. This four (4) prong approach is: Identification / Assessment Stabilization. Enablement. Empowerment. ACTIVITIES

6. Challenges Faced Setting up initial meetings with key stakeholders to sell the project idea and secure ‘buy-in.’ Up to date data on the nature and extent of poverty in Barbados. This information is crucial for the targeting and effective delivery of our programmes and projects.

7. LESSONS LEARNED (OBSERVATIONS) The project is timely and relevant in light of: The reform process currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Social Care and the strategy to empower poor and vulnerable persons. The current economic crisis which calls for the development of capacity building mechanisms especially among the vulnerable sector. There are similarities between the Puente Programme and the I.S.E.E. Strategy, eg. The psychological component, and the supporting pillars.

8. PLANS AND STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE On-going meetings of the co-ordinating team. Intensify discussions with all stakeholders from the public, private and civil society sectors and project beneficiaries. Develop the project proposal – clearly identifying the monitoring and evaluation tools. Seek guidance and support from the OAS and FOSIS Team The presentation of the project by the Minister of Social Care to the members of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force, Cabinet Sub- Committee on Social Care and the general Cabinet membership. Implementation of the Pilot phase of the project.

9. SPECIFIC SUPPORT REGUIRED FOSIS: - Guidance and Technical support throughout the project cycle. - Transfer of knowledge and best practices. OAS: -Technical support in areas of Human Resource Development. Training and development for Co-ordinating team members, front-line workers, other facilitators and project beneficiaries. -Funding where necessary