BASIC HUMAN NEEDS EMPLOYMENT SECTOR

CDB will implement the project in cooperation with each country"s Ministry of Communication and Works with the help of USAID-funded technical assistance. A CDB management team will be created and a Basic Human Needs Fund (BHNF) will be established to finance construction/rehabilitation of primary schools (PS) and other public infrastructure. These activities will take place in Antigua, Domenica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent. Each country will receive a grant to encourage systematic, routine maintenance of PS facilities. Seven new schools will be built and 16 rehabilitated or extended. Proposed projects will be evaluated according to the degree of community self-help to be incorporated; the cost-effectiveness and need for improvement (e.g., severe overcrowding); and the number of students benefitted -- both nationally and as a percentage of regional PS population. Regional specifications for PS facilities will be developed, as well as a self-help syllabus for each country. BHNF will also fund the rehabilitation of at least 40 other public infrastructure subprojects as follows: 3 drainage systems, 7 roads, 5 health centers, 2 community centers, 2 public buildings, 12 water supply systems, 7 forestation and soil conservation projects, 1 rural sanitation activity, and 1 land clearance activity. Funding criteria include: a local labor content of at least 40%; high government priority; fast-track implementation; and a maintenance-reducing capacity. Information programs will publicize subproject work opportunities, especially for unemployed youths and women. Lastly, BHNF will create a program in Barbados to train unemployed youths in basic construction skills. Instruction in plumbing, carpentry, electricity, and masonry will be provided to some 20 students per 12-week session at each of six rehabilitated centers. The Government of Barbados will develop a long-range skills training plan and a placement service to provide permanent employment. A project paper amendment of 12/13/79 increased project funding by $2.5 million and added Belize to the list of participating countries. A second amendment, 3/3/81, increased project funding by $4 million to finance new activities such as library rehabilitation, sanitary facilities, seed and cassava production, and road repairs. It was recommended that subproject selection criteria be selectively waived for community-related activities which have highly productive, visible impacts, e.g., water supply and drainage improvements, road repairs, health clinics, rubbish and solid waste collection, etc. Also, new projects should be directed at facilities which impact particularly on young people, e.g., community and recreational centers. Project length was extended by one year to 9/30/83.