Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP)

The JSIF is currently implementing the fourth phase of the European Union's Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP-IV), which is a 48 month  Programme of assistance, costing  12.54 million euro. The programme commenced November 7, 2014 and will end on November 6, 2018. Funding for the PRP-IV is provided jointly by the European Union and the Government of Jamaica. The PRP-IV is an important part of the European Commission’s assistance to Jamaica, and is in line with the National Indicative Programme, signed in November, 2008, and with Jamaica’s National Development Plan “Vision 20/30.” The PRP-IV is designed to build on the PRP-II and the PRP-III and contribute to inclusive growth and equitable development; by promoting economic well-being and enhanced quality of life for residents of volatile communities.

The guiding principle of the PRP-IV is to contribute to the implementation of the Government of Jamaica’s Community Renewal Programme (CRP).  PRP-IV targets the governance, physical transformation, socio-economic development, and youth development components of the CRP. The overall objective of the PRP-IV is that of the CRP and the PRP; to empower residents of volatile communities to achieve their fullest potential and contribute to the attainment of a secure, cohesive and just Jamaican society, as outlined in Goal 1 and 2 of Jamaica's Vision 20/30 Development Plan. The CRP is designed to serve as the platform for service delivery to enhance social transformation, strengthen governance and reduce crime and violence in volatile and vulnerable communities. The CRP's components focus inter alia on social transformation, safety and justice, socio-economic development and youth development. Under the CRP, local communities are responsible for project implementation in partnership with Non State Actors (NSAs) and with technical support from relevant national agencies. In line with the provisions of Article 70.a of the revised Cotonou Agreement, projects will be implemented with the request of and with a contribution from the final beneficiaries.

The overall objective of the PRP-IV is complementary to that of the CRP, whose objective will be achieved through infrastructure sub-projects and through a series of social intervention techniques including workshops, employment attachments and scholarships. Activities in this Programme estimate build on and are a continuation of activities started under PRP II and PRP III, albeit in some cases with different beneficiary communities. Implementation of the activities of this Programme estimate is guided by the Practical Guide to procedures for Programme estimates (project approach).

Coordination between the Community Renewal Programme (CRP) and the Poverty Reduction Programme IV will be managed by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), which is also the national authorizing officer for the Poverty Reduction Programme. Overall Programme supervision and implementation will be effected by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, from the period, November 7, 2014 to November 6,2020. 

The third phase of the European Union's  Poverty Reduction Programme (EU-PRP III),  commenced in 2001 and was concluded on May 3, 2016 .  Also a 48 months Programme, the EU-PRP III,  valued at EUR 10 M,  was jointly funded by the European Union (EUR 9.5 M) and the Government of Jamaica (EUR 0.5 M), and is an important part of the European Commission's assistance to Jamaica, which corresponds with the National Indicative Programme signed in November 2008, and with the Vision 2030 Jamaica.

The EU-PRP III made significant contributions  to the implementation of the Government of Jamaica's Community Renewal Programme (CRP); by supporting a range of infrastructure and human development projects under the CRP.

. The programme was implemented by the JSIF in communities in Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine and St James.

The  EU-PRP III  contributed to inclusive growth and equitable development; by promoting economic well-being and enhanced quality of life for residents of volatile communities. It entailed two main components:

1.        Construction of socio-economic infrastructure

2.        Community empowerment, aimed at reinforcing local development dynamics.

 Under the second component, local communities were responsible for project implementation; in partnership with Non State Actors, and with technical support from relevant national agencies. Overall programme supervision and coordination was implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). While the EU-PRP III sought to have critical impact, by focusing on a limited number of volatile Communities in the parishes of Kingston, St. Andrew, St Catherine and St. James, the targeting of support was guided by the strategic phased roll out of the Community Renewal Programme.

The second phase of the European Union’s Poverty Reduction Programme came to an end on December 31, 2013.