The OECS Secretariat is expected to receive guidance and recommendations during a two day workshop to be held next week on the best ways to support sustainable financing for protected areas in the region. 

The regional workshop scheduled for June 9-10th will be held at the Bay Gardens Hotel, in Saint Lucia. 

A major focus of the workshop is to review and examine the results of a recently completed study on financing mechanisms for Protected Areas in OECS countries and to explore avenues and opportunities for adapting recommendations made by OECS contracted consultants.

An estimated 50 persons are expected to participate in the workshop representing government ministries of finance and environment respectively, the NGO Community, protected area management agencies as well as relevant representatives from regional/international agencies who will share their experiences and assist in finalizing the proposed strategy. 

The workshop will be facilitated by consultants from the Environment and Development Group (EDG), who have undertaken the Study and are preparing the Strategy. The OECS Secretariat anticipates that the two documents will draw immense attention from and discussion among participants - discussions that will provide sound direction on the way forward for long-term financing of Protected Areas in the region. 

The workshop is part of plans to fulfill a major objective of the OECS Protected Areas and Associated Livelihoods (OPAAL) Project “to achieve policy, legislative and institutional arrangement reforms leading to the evolution of a harmonized approach to the creation and management of protected areas”