February 13, 2025 - Port of Spain: The Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society (TTRCS) and the Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO) Sex and Gender Justice are this year’s awardees of Human Rights and Democracy grants from the European Union (EU) Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago. The awardees were announced publicly at a contract signing that took place at the EU’s offices in Port of Spain recently.

The TTRCS project will focus on the local migrant community.  Specifically, the EU grant will be used to ensure that the main gaps experienced by migrants in the areas of health and education are filled through advocacy, the provision of services and training.

CAISO’s project will center on the economic, social and cultural rights of the LGBTQI+ community, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized.   The organization intends to use the grant funding to improve access to housing and food, as well as to provide opportunities to engage in dignified work and protection from violence.

Both projects will be implemented over the next three years.

The award of these grants was based on a competitive Call for Proposals, the objective of which was to support CSO initiatives geared towards the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development; providing access to justice for all; and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels in Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking at the contract signing ceremony, Deputy Head of Mission at the European Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago,  Ms Evelina Melbarzde, pointed out that, ‘these projects are not only an important indicator of the partnership the EU has with civil society, but also important for the work that is done in Trinidad and Tobago’

This year’s grants, worth more than TT$3.5 million, reflect the continued direct support, that the EU-TT Delegation has provided to CSOs since 2014. To date, 43 civil society organizations have been beneficiaries of grants, worth more than TT$25 million.

Photo Caption (L-R):  Stephan Kishore, TTRCS, Angelique Nixon, CAISO, Dr Florian Luetticken, EU International Partnerships, Jill De Bourg, CEO, TTRCS, Monica Paul –McLean, Programme Manager, European Union Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago, Evelina Melbarzde, Deputy Head of Mission at the European Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago and Kellog Nkemakolam, CAISO (back), following the signing of Human Rights and Democracy grants at EU’s office in Port of Spain.