Caribbean Press Releases - recent news & press releases - http://www.caribbeanpressreleases.com
Grenada to Launch Non State Actors Panel
http://www.caribbeanpressreleases.com/articles/5645/1/Grenada-to-Launch-Non-State-Actors-Panel/Page1.html
Michael Bascombe
My name is Michael Bascombe and have written for many news agencies including the Associated Press, BBC Caribbean and Caribbean Media Corporation, formerly Caribbean News Agency (CANA). However, my passion is in sports reporting/broadcasting which I have been doing for more than 20 years. I highlight my major accomplishment as providing accurate, reliable and timely information to the public. 
By Michael Bascombe
Published on 12-Oct-09
 
St. George's -- Oct. 9, 2009 -- The Government of Grenada, in conjunction with the European Union (EU) will on Monday October 12, 2009, officially launch its Non States Actors Advisory Panel (NSAAP).
Country portfolio review
St. George's -- Oct. 9, 2009 -- The Government of Grenada, in conjunction with the European Union (EU) will on Monday October 12, 2009, officially launch its Non States Actors Advisory Panel (NSAAP). 

The concept of the NSAAP was enshrined in the Cotonou Agreement between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states regarding aid, trade and political cooperation.

The idea is to have a panel that represents all non-government sectors such as non- governmental organisations (NGOs), community based organisations (CBOs), trade unions, civil society organisations, womens’ groups, private sector organisations like chambers of commerce, and the like.  This panel would be available for dialogue with their government and may play a consultative role in setting their nation's development priorities, strategies and programmes for channeling EU aid.  This arrangement seeks to promote participation by stakeholders who can lobby for programmes that meet the needs of their constituencies. 

In some instances non state actors are also involved in implementing programmes funded by the EU, for example, Jamaica's Integrated Drug Abuse Prevention Programme was implemented through a partnership between government and non state actors.

In some OECS islands, like Dominica, there are vibrant NSA Panels while in others they are in a fledgling stage. 

Grenada's NSA Panel was recently formed and will be formally recognised by the National Authorizing Officer (Hon. Minister Nazim Burke) at the Launch Ceremony on Monday 12th October.  The National Authorizing Officer is the designated person for negotiating all financing agreements for donor funding from the EU.

In addition to the launch of the NSA Panel the EU will also be conducting a country portfolio review from October 12 – 13, 2009. 

The Country Portfolio Review is an annual exercise where the Government of Grenada and the European Commission/European Union (represented by the Delegation in Barbados) jointly review the progress and status of EU funded projects and programmes.  Grenada is currently benefiting from several such programmes like the rehabilitation of nineteen (19) schools, improvement in the water supply through the Southern Grenada Water Supply project, improvements in irrigation and farm roads, the development of a Virtual Business Incubator for promoting e-commerce, and direct budgetary support.