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This discussion paper highlights the experiences and insights gained from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) regarding poverty alleviation through horizontal cooperation. Since its inception, JSIF has emerged as a key player in implementing the Puente Programme in the Caribbean, focusing on reaching destitute households. The paper elaborates on the successful community-level interventions made, challenges faced, and the sustainability of the initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic landscape. It outlines JSIF's collaboration with the OAS and its commitment to enhancing social protection for underserved communities.
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Organization of American StatesCaribbean Conference on Horizontal Cooperation in Social Protection Discussion Paper for Panel 3: Puente in the Caribbean III: Partners’ Perspectives and Future OAS Programming Scarlette Gillings, CD, Managing Director Jamaica Social Investment Fund
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE • JSIF is one of the Government of Jamaica’s major poverty alleviation programmes • Long association with the OAS and REDLAC • Joined calls advocating for greater horizontal cooperation in poverty alleviation best practices
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE • In 2003, JSIF hosted a regional workshop where the Puente Programme was showcased and strong calls made for replication in the Caribbean
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE • JSIF’s mandate is to provide social and economic infrastructure in underserved communities. It addresses public poverty • Commendable success in accessing financing from bilaterals and multilaterals to carry out poverty alleviation programmes
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE • Fairly impressive record in tackling public poverty • 350 schools • 115 roads • 21 health centres • 44 water supply systems
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE • Working at the community level has always been considered efficient and effective to help the poor • Targeting households previously seen as time consuming and expensive. Concerns: • Leakage • Improper targeting • dependency
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE • JSIF lessons learnt are strong launching pads for household level interventions: • Reduced community ownership of infrastructure projects • Less group/community involvement in the development process • Puente presented an excellent opportunity for JSIF to expand and complement poverty alleviation thrust by zeroing in on destitute households
BACKGROUND & RATIONALE • Implementation of ICBSP in 12 urban and peri-urban inner city communities • Assisting to improve physical and social environment • Physical interventions • Roads, drains, sewage systems, street lighting, signage, multipurpose centres, green spaces • Social interventions • Homework assistance and exam preparation, summer employment, skills training, parenting
IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE • JSIF hosted official launch of transference of Puente in the Caribbean in June 2007 • Steady progress in implementing Puente
IMPLEMENTATION EXPERIENCE • Human resource requirements • New skill sets, particularly psychosocial • Re-training staff • Institutional analysis of core tasks • Modifications to Operations Manual • Amendments to Fund Manager for monitoring and implementation requirements • Orientation of political directorate • Financing from World Bank
SUSTAINABILITY & IMPACT • High prospects for sustainability • Gap filler for PATH and Steps To Work • Shift towards well-needed household interventions • Added dimension of psychosocial support • Sanctioned by PIOJ • Achievement of Vision 2030 objectives • Attention from regional multilateral agencies • Prospects for expansion to rural communities
