This afternoon, the US Ambassador signed over $1.6 million US dollars in grants to Belizean NGOs. These grants are part of the CARSI program, the goal of which is to facilitate security - bot through police guns and batons, but through educational and employment opportunities, which deter participants from a criminal activities. We spoke to the US Ambassador Carlos Moreno about the grants and their goal.
H.E. Carlos Moreno - Us Ambassador to Belize
"The purpose of today's grant is to recognize outstanding programs that the United States Government is very eager to support. These are programs direct towards steering young people away from gang participation, violence and crime. Through education, increased job opportunities, leadership opportunities, and entrepreneurship in fact."
Reporter
"What was the criteria asked for?"
H.E. Carlos Moreno - Us Ambassador to Belize
"You know we're looking for programs that have some sort of track history. History of success. We want programs that have an established management because aside from writing great proposal there's significant monitoring that comes along with that."
Since 2008, the US Embassy has provided over $35 million US dollars in funding through the CARSI program. This is the first year grants have been given out to organizations that try to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Recipients include the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), Caye Caulker's Ocean Academy, the Love Foundation, RET International, Stann Creek ITVET (Project Extension), the YWCA, and the BFLA.
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