WELCOME TO THE FAQs SECTION
Here are the most Frequently Asked Questions.
JSIF is currently implementing the Second Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI II) on behalf of the Government of Jamaica. REDI II is financed in part with a USD 40 million loan from the World Bank (Loan agreement No. 9017-JM) and approximately USD 2 million from beneficiaries’ cash contributions. The project will be implemented through 2025, in support of the strategic priorities of both line Ministries, Agriculture & Tourism. The Project Development Objective for REDI II is to “enhance access to markets and to climate resilient approaches for targeted beneficiaries.” The project is structured in the following components:
Component 1. Climate Resilient Agricultural and Community Tourism Investments for Rural Enterprises: The objective of this component is to promote the development of micro, small and medium agricultural/community tourism enterprises that are better integrated into productive partnerships or “alliances” with other stakeholders along their respective value chain, through reliable linkages with buyers and markets and increased capacity to manage climate risks.
Component 2. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building for Public Entities: This component aims to strengthen the capacity of relevant public sector institutions – the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MOAF), Ministry of Tourism (MOT), and JSIF-and associated entities (Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the Jamaica Tourist Board (JT) among others to provide the public infrastructure and quality services needed to promote inclusive rural development (based on the agriculture and tourism nexus) and to ensure the sustainability of the rural enterprises and productive partnerships supported by the project. This component has two subcomponents.
The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) is a limited liability company incorporated under The Companies Act of Jamaica. It was established in 1996 as a component of the Government of Jamaica’s (GoJ’s) national poverty alleviation strategy. The Fund was designed primarily to channel resources to small-scaled community-based projects. This is done with the use of an Operations Manual that acts as a guide to ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in project implementation.
The operations of the JSIF were initially funded by a loan negotiated between the GoJ and the World Bank. Though the Fund was initially established as a temporary organization with an initial lifespan of four (4) years, it has been in operation for over twenty-four (24) years; invested an estimated USD 200 million, of which approximately 80% is in infrastructure. Presently the Fund has been charged with executing agreements with international organizations that will continue until 2025.
The mandate of the JSIF is:
The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) mobilizes resources and channels these to community-based socio-economic infrastructure and social services projects. Through a national partnership between central and local government, communities and private and public organizations, the JSIF addresses the immediate demands of communities in a manner that is quick, efficient, effective, transparent and non-partisan.
A CTE is an individually owned enterprise operating within a community with limited linkages to the community.
A CBT comprises many attractions/activities located within the same locale, working together to provide one main product.
