By Claudia Gardner:
Community groups, churches, service clubs and other non-profit organizations across Westmoreland and Hanover are being urged to explore the Community Arranged Response Efforts Fund (CARE), a new grant opportunity that could help them tackle some of the health and social challenges facing their communities.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness will host a Community Arranged Response Efforts Fund (CARE) Fund sensitization session at the at the Wesley Methodist Church Hall in Savanna-la-Mar this Friday, June 26, which will give organisations an opportunity to learn how they can access grant funding for community-based projects.
According to Stephen Davidson, Director of Public Relations and Communications at the Ministry, the session is designed to ensure that community organizations understand both the opportunities available through the fund and the support being provided to applicants.
“Participants will learn about the purpose and objectives of the CARE Fund, eligibility requirements for funding, priority funding areas, the application and assessment process, tips for developing a strong project proposal, and opportunities to ask questions and receive guidance,” Davidson told Negril Times.
The CARE Fund was recently launched by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, to support initiatives that improve health and well-being at the community level.
Unlike many grant programmes that dictate the issues applicants should address, Davidson said the CARE Fund is deliberately structured to allow communities themselves to identify local priorities, as local organizations are often best positioned to understand the realities facing residents.
“The CARE Fund is intentionally community-driven. Rather than directing organizations to address specific issues, we are inviting them to identify the health and social challenges most affecting their communities and submit proposals aligned with the Fund’s ten priority areas,” he explained.
“We believe that community organizations are best placed to understand local needs and develop sustainable solutions that improve health and well-being at the grassroots level,” Davidson added.
The approach could open the door for projects addressing a wide range of concerns affecting communities in Westmoreland and Hanover, including support for older persons, caregiver training, youth development, mental health initiatives, family support programmes, community wellness activities and other locally identified needs.
In responding to the concern that many community groups operating throughout rural Westmoreland and Hanover have established track records of service but lack formal legal registration, often making them ineligible for traditional grant opportunities, Davidson said the Ministry has taken steps to ensure that smaller grassroots organizations are not excluded from the process.
“While CARE Fund applications must be submitted by legally registered organizations, we recognize that many grassroots groups are already making a positive impact in their communities. To support greater participation, the Ministry has partnered with the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies to provide a fast-tracked registration process until July 31, 2026,” he told Negril Times.
“Unregistered groups may also work in partnership with an eligible registered organization, provided that clear governance, financial management, and implementation arrangements are outlined in the proposal,” he added.
Recognizing that many organizations may have little experience preparing grant applications, he said the Ministry is also promising extensive technical support through information sessions, guidance materials, application templates and ongoing support from the CARE Fund Secretariat, to ensure they are not at a disadvantage.
That support will continue after the Savanna-la-Mar session. Davidson said the Ministry will move into a proposal-development phase that will include proposal-writing clinics and one-on-one technical assistance.
“We want to ensure that community groups with strong ideas receive the support they need to develop clear, well-structured proposals that align with the CARE Fund’s objectives and priority areas,” he said.
Looking ahead, Davidson said success will be measured by more than the number of grants awarded.
“One year from now, success for the CARE Fund will be measured by more than the number of projects funded. We want to see stronger, healthier and more resilient communities, increased community participation in health and wellness initiatives, improved support for vulnerable populations, and community organizations that are better equipped to lead sustainable, high-impact interventions,” he said.
“Ultimately, success will be reflected in measurable improvements in the health and well-being of the people of Westmoreland and Hanover,” he added.
