This document summarizes a community consultation meeting held in Majesty Gardens, Jamaica to discuss a community renewal program. The program aims to improve social inclusion, service delivery, governance, and reduce crime and violence through coordinated interventions. Majesty Gardens was selected as a pilot community due to its ranking on a vulnerability index. To date, achievements under the program include completing a community census and priority plan, developing a community development committee, and providing skills training. Planned interventions over 2012-2014 include improving governance, expanding housing and infrastructure, social and economic programs, and youth development initiatives. The coordinated renewal process aims to improve the community in a sustainable way through evidence-based, integrated multi-level interventions.

1. Planning Institute of Jamaica
Community Consultation
Jamaica Conference Center
August 14th
2013
Presented by : Ms. Sherrian Gray, Technical SpecialistPresented by : Ms. Sherrian Gray, Technical Specialist

2.  Platform for Coordination
 Objectives:
◦ Improve service delivery to vulnerable and volatile
communities
◦ promote social inclusion,
◦ enhance legitimate and participatory governance
◦ reduce crime and violence.

3. How did this community become a pilot initiative?
 Majesty Gardens Pilot is ranked number 4 on the volatile and
vulnerable community index listing used by the programme.
 There is an overall development thrust for the community
including the physical and social aspects.
 Renewal intervention commenced in May 2012.
.
The Majesty Gardens PilotThe Majesty Gardens Pilot

4. What has been the approach:
 Complementary actions involving physical and social
transformation.
 Evidence- based approaches, using quantitative and
qualitative methods.
 Using integrated, multi-level interventions in a phased ,
sustained way to create change.
 Efficient use of scarce resources.

5. What is the benefit of the CRP programme?
Streamlines information sharing among stakeholders;
Align support to priority areas from perspectives of
development partners, stakeholders ad the community;
Collaborative decision-making;
Identify intervention gaps and allows scaling up;
Collective benefit for all stakeholders;
Sustainability

6. How does the renewal process work?
 Data mining and compilation
 Majesty Gardens census - Data was collected through a
composite instrument which combined the SDC survey
instrument and the NHT Housing survey.
Inputs were given from:
MNS, MoH, JCF, CSJP, PMI and MoE.

7. Demographics
Began in 1951 as an informal settlement
Located in the Three Miles Development Area
2,739 persons (adults and children)
710 households
4 main sections – High rise, Townhouses, Habitat and
Back To
Average household = 3.7 persons
Community divided in “Top” and “ Bottom” over the years
and maintained.
Tenureship- 77% live for free

8. Looking at community demographics (cont’d)
 Length of Residence – 94.6% have lived in the community
for more than 10 years;
 Poor housing infrastructure
 Extreme overcrowding, up to 13 persons in a house;
 Poor sanitation;
 Inadequate garbage disposal;
 Illegal electrical connections for all dwellings except St.
Andrew Settlement structure.

9. Profile of Residents
 76% are below 50 years old
 Average age = 39 years
 53.6% female headed households, less than half under
34 years;
 Lower income level, higher dependency
 Susceptible to poverty
 Nuclear family is most predominant (34.5%)
 High fertility rate
 91.5% have no academic qualifications

10. Community Assets
Majesty Gardens Basic School (operated by the St.
Andrew Settlement on behalf of the St. Andrew Parish
Church)
Clinic (pre-natal and neo-natal care, to expand as dental
auxillary)
Feeding programme for the Elderly
Woodwork shop
Multi-purpose field- netball/ basketball court, football field

11. Renewal Partners – STATE
 National Housing Trust (NHT)
 Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ)
 Ministry of National Security (MNS)
 Citizens Security and Justice Programme (CSJP)
 Social Development Commission (SDC)
 Ministry of Health (MOH)
 National Water Commission (NWC)
 National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA)
 Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS)

12. Renewal Partners (Non-State Actors)
 Peace Management Initiative (PMI)
 Grace and Staff (engaged in the community prior to CRP)
 RISE Life Management
 St. Andrew Settlement

13. There are 5 main objectives for this intervention:
Improve the physical infrastructure for the residents by
provision of housing solutions
Build social capital through existing networks, specifically
parenting
Improve community cohesion
Improve access to social and economic opportunities
Strengthen legitimate and participatory governance structure

14. What has been achieved under the renewal framework to
date?
Community census and profile complete (NHT and SDC)
Community Priority Plan complete (SDC and CSJP)
Profile of males at-risk (PMI)
Physical plan of overall development of the community
(UDC)
Business survey (JBDC)
All plans and data gathering exercises was done with the
community’s involvement.

15. What has been achieved under the
renewal framework to date?
◦ Development of Community
Development Committee with
representation of all 12 CBOs (SDC
and CSJP)
◦ Registration of CDC as the Majesty
Gardens CDC Benevolent Society
(CSJP, SDC and DCFS)
◦ Provided TRN and NIS to over 150
residents during Information Fair in
May 2012. (All agencies)

16. What has been achieved under
the renewal framework to date?
◦ Establishment of Majesty
Gardens Community Education
Development programme
(PIOJ, CSJP, JFLL)
◦ Promotion of community events
such as Majesty 50, Ballaz
Fridays (PIOJ, CSJP)

17. What has been achieved under the
renewal framework to date?
◦ Establish a Police Youth Club
(JCF CSSB)
◦ Increased positive interaction
between the residents and the
Police.
◦ Reduction in tensions between
‘Top’ and ‘Bottom’ Majesty-
freedom of movement. (PMI,
CSJP, PIOJ)

18. What has been achieved under the
renewal framework to date?
◦ Skills training for youths and
certification at Operation
Friendship (CSJP)
◦ Training of 30 persons in cottage
industry skills (JEA, JSIF, EU)
◦ Tuition support (CSJP)
◦ Employment Internship
programme (CSJP, JSIF (EU))

19. The Way Forward
Type of
Intervention
FY 2012- 2014 Responsible
Agency
Governance Strengthening the capacity of the
Majesty Gardens CDC- team building
CSJP, SDC
Provide leadership and management
training to Majesty Gardens CDC and
CBO leadership within the community.
CSJP, SDC
Establish Community Enterprise-
community garden as income
generation
CRP, CSJP

20. The Way Forward
Type of
Intervention
FY 2012- 2014 Responsible
Agency
Physical
Transformation
Construct 400 new housing
structures at the bottom section ,
Provide 200 service lots
NHT, Food for
the Poor
Community centre NHT, HAJ
Renovation of market adjoining
community
Retrofit container as cyber center
and café
UAEF, CSJP,
NHT
Sanitation project JSIF

21. The Way Forward
Type of
Intervention
FY 2012- 2014 Responsible
Agency
Social
Transformation
Gang demobilisation programme for
marginal youths
PMI
Improving Literacy and Numeracy
through training
JFLL
Skills training and certification HEART, CSJP
Support for Parenting programme
and strengthening existing group
CSJP, CRP
Development of self and tackling
bleaching
NGO to be
identified

22. The Way Forward
Type of
Intervention
FY 2012- 2014 Responsible
Agency
Socio-Economic
Development
Employment Internship schemes CSJP, JSIF
Start-up small businesses-
ornamental fishing
CRP, CSJP
Establish formal skills data bank CRP, Majesty
Gardens CDC
BS
Vocational Skills Training CSJP, NHT,
CRP

23. The Way Forward
Type of
Intervention
FY 2012- 2014 Responsible
Agency
Youth
Development
Back to School Assistance CSJP, JSIF PRP
III
Tuition support- Secondary,
Vocational skills training and tertiary
level
CSJP, CDF
Sexual Reproductive Health
awareness and training
CRP, MOH,
NFPB
Mentorship Programmes CRP
Develop structure sporting
programmes- football, netball and
other sports
CRP, CSJP
Training youth leaders in youth
development and advocacy
CRP

24. Advantages of the CRP Approach
For Agency For Community
Allows for a shift perspective- service
oriented
Improve community and citizens
accessibility to service
Provides a comprehensive evaluation
and planning tool for all stakeholders
Helps communities understand their
role in the coordination process.
Provides a roadmap that builds a
shared vision and encourages
forward progress.
Define community priorities and
develop action plans.
Reduces cost

25. What is the estimated cost for A Blueprint for Change?
Estimated Cost for Change
Physical ( JM$600 million)
Social ( JM $200 million)
Funding Support to date
 Poverty Reduction Programme III (EU) Flagship Partner
 Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)- CSJP
 Government of Jamaica (GoJ)

26. Secure, Cohesive,
Prosperous and
Just
Communities *
*In Accordance with the Goals of Vision 2030