How we work
Our Approach
At CANARI, we put people and our region’s precious natural resources at the centre of our work. We empower stakeholders at all levels to be responsible stewards of the environment, specifically the natural resources upon which we depend for our livelihoods, wellbeing, economies, our quality of life.
We work across the Caribbean, with projects and programmes at local, national and regional levels. Our local and national work has mainly focused on the island countries and territories of the region. We also engage in international processes as an advocate for Caribbean sustainable development and to share experiences from the region while learning from other countries and regions facing similar issues.
We coordinate action by partnering with governments and regional and international organisations to manage programmes and projects, providing technical services and acting as a conduit, channelling funding, information and technical support to CSOs and other local organisations.
We generally approach working with stakeholders, including our partners, in one of four ways—Advocacy, Capacity Building, Research and Data Collection, and Grantmaking.
Advocacy
We seek to influence policy decisions and act as an advocate for participatory natural resource management nationally, regionally and internationally. Empowering stakeholders to become advocates, champions and wise managers of the natural resources that impact upon their lives and livelihoods is fundamental to our goal of good natural resource stewardship.
This means changing mindsets to influence policy and practice at every level. It requires human and financial resources, technical expertise and platforms or media to communicate ideas and messages. Its effectiveness is measured through behaviour change and changes in policy, laws and regulations. It is most evident when there is wide uptake of the practices for which we advocate.
Capacity Building
At CANARI, we work closely with grassroots and community-based organisations across the Caribbean who are directly involved in natural resource management and/or who represent natural resource users. We recognize that training can empower those organisations and resource users in many ways. In addition to building relevant skills, it is a way to introduce more sustainable practices. We also engage Government representatives as well as local, national and regional agency representatives in order to educate and find solutions to natural resource management challenges directly and indirectly affecting the people and communities they serve, as well as national and regional economies.
Research and Data Collection
We are a curious and ever-learning organisation which values extensive research and the collection of relevant data. Engaging in research and data collection informs our work and helps us to find appropriate solutions. It helps us to better understand the concerns and realities of stakeholders and to develop practical and useful resources for them. It also helps us to design truly empowering capacity building activities.
Grantmaking
When needed to fulfil the requirements of a project or programme, or to help further our vision for the region, CANARI provides small grants to stakeholders to complete community-based projects. We appreciate that for community-based organizations in particular, such injections of funds enable initiatives that would not otherwise be possible and can make a big difference.
Our Partners
At CANARI, we value collaboration and partnership and lead by example when it comes to embracing partnership across the work that we do. We actively collaborate and develop partnerships with key stakeholders throughout the Caribbean and across the globe. Our partners include: resource users, civil society organisations (CSOs), research institutes; donors, government and intergovernmental agencies, and the private sector. Stakeholders may partner with us through our Action Learning Groups, Communities of Practice and Coalitions.
Top photo: ITW EAG Teachers field trip
Credit: Kariana Kelsick, EAG