1. Government of Jamaica Community Development Committee Administrative Grant
   • GOJ Special Administrative Grant Information Sheet – CDC: Call #2, FY 25/26
   • GOJ Special Administrative Grant Application Form – CDC: CDC: Call #2, FY 25/26
   • GOJ Special Administrative Grant Report Template – CDC: Call #2, FY 25/26
2. Government of Jamaica Parish Development Committee Administrative Grant
   • GOJ Special Administrative Grant Information Sheet – PDC: Call #2, FY 25/26
   • GOJ Special Administrative Grant Application Form – PDC: CDC: Call #2, FY 25/26
   • GOJ Special Administrative Grant Report Template – PDC: Call #2, FY 25/26

Speaking to The Gleaner on the sidelines of the Greater St Catherine Governance Conference on Wednesday at the Caymanas Golf Club, Frith said the shift is being driven through the agency’s governance department.

“At this junture the SDC is seeking to reset the meaning, we have been focus through our governance department on building capacity of groups and individuals to participate at the community level,” he said.

The conference, staged in partnership with the Planning Institute of Jamaica , has so far been held in St James, Clarendon, Westmoreland and St Catherine, with a final staging scheduled for Kingston and St Andrew. (Click here for full story)

Executive Director, Omar Frith, says a central feature of the Commission’s programme offering is its emphasis on participatory governance.

“When we speak of democracy, we speak of citizens’ empowerment. The SDC has a significant role in ensuring that there are structured mechanisms available at the community level through which citizens can actively contribute to decision-making, [and also that] they can identify problems that face their specific locations [and] articulate solutions. These solutions are going to go well for positive change in their spaces,” he said.

Mr. Frith was speaking with JIS News during the SDC’s Greater St. Catherine Governance Conference, hosted on Wednesday (January 21) at the Caymanas Golf Club.

In a move to strengthen the governance of civil society and community-based organisations, the SDC, in strategic partnership with the Community Renewal Programme (CRP) of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), hosted a series of five parish conferences and four financial management workshops. (Click here for full story)

The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, provides JMD 75 million in grant funding to support clean-up and minor repair works at affected churches. SDC Executive Director, Omar Frith, advised that the SDC is executing its assigned responsibility under the programme, including application management, field verification, and coordination of assessments. He noted that, to date, the SDC has received 176 applications from churches across 16 constituencies in St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. James, Trelawny, and Hanover, with the largest concentration of submissions coming from St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and St. James, reflecting the scale of hurricane impact in those parishes.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Frith said the Commission fully endorses the Government’s thrust to support church clean-up and recovery efforts, noting that churches play a role far beyond spiritual and religious guidance. He affirmed that churches are key stakeholders in community development, providing spaces that facilitate community engagement, psychosocial support interventions, partnerships, and a wide range of development programmes. He further noted that church facilities are frequently utilised as emergency shelters, meeting and coordination spaces, and venues for developmental initiatives, particularly in times of crisis. Supporting their recovery therefore strengthens not only the institutions themselves, but also the communities they serve, and enhances national recovery and resilience efforts.

The Commission has issued an application form and detailed content note outlining the scope and parameters of the initiative. Importantly, it does not involve the rebuilding or reconstruction of churches, but focuses on clean-up activities and minor repairs aimed at restoring functionality and safety. Eligible works include debris removal, roof sheeting, doors, windows, guttering, basic waterproofing, and other small-scale remedial repairs. As part of the implementation process, SDC parish teams are being deployed to verify applications on the ground, supported by Municipal Corporations, which will assist in assessing the reported minor repairs and ensuring technical consistency.

Mr. Frith went on to state that all clean-up activities under the programme must adhere to national environmental and public health standards, and that debris generated through the clean-up exercise must be disposed of at approved dumping sites in accordance with the guidelines and requirements of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and the relevant Municipal Corporations.

He added that the SDC continues to play a pivotal role in the Government’s recovery and eventual rebuilding efforts, particularly through data collection, verification, and evidence-building. “Our role ensures that recovery interventions are guided by sound evidence, supporting accountability systems, giving the Government confidence in programme delivery and the use of public resources,” he noted.

The SDC encourages eligible churches in the affected parishes to continue engaging with parish offices as the verification process progresses under the national clean-up framework.

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The one-day mega-community-fair, a collaborative effort by the Social Development Commission (SDC), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry, served as a one-stop hub for essential services. From document restoration, psychosocial counselling to financial advice and a vibrant marketplace for local goods, the event aimed to provide comprehensive support to an estimated 2000 affected individuals and entrepreneurs.

“After the storm, I felt lost. No roof and worse, several documents got destroyed. My TRN, birth certificate was gone,” shared Mrs. Shevel Vassell, a patron from Albion. “But here, in one place, I’ve started the process to get them all back. The police gave me a receipt for my report, TAJ helped with my TRN, and I even got a medical check-up. This fair isn’t just about help; it’s about restoring our identity and dignity.”

At the heart of the park was the buzzing SDC Economic Village, a dedicated space showcasing the resilience of grassroots entrepreneurs. More than 15 Local Economic Initiatives (LEIs), many of whom lost inventory during the hurricane, displayed handmade crafts, fresh produce, baked goods, and professional services.

Dian Belair, owner of Coco Petal, shared that the hurricane washed away water tanks and completely destroyed two greenhouses. “I thought it was over and that I would have to give up when I saw the level of destruction,” she said. “But being part of the Economic Village today has done two things: it has given me immediate sales to help restart, and more importantly, it has connected me with potential new customers and business facilitators, including the Chamber and prospective wholesale buyers. SDC has given us a platform not just to survive, but to rebuild stronger. I am definitely looking forward to participating in more events like this.”

The critical role of the private sector was also underscored. Jason Russell, President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry, emphasized the importance of forward-looking recovery efforts. “We see the destruction, but we can’t dwell on what has happened. We have to focus on recovery. Don’t let it cripple you, recovery starts with us,” he stated.

The fair was strategically designed to address immediate humanitarian, health, and wellness needs, as well as short- to medium-term economic recovery. Key government agencies, including HEART NSTA Trust, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), provided urgent support to residents, while the Municipal Corporation facilitated the replacement of critical occupational licenses. Private-sector partners among them major car dealership (KIG), financial institutions, and insurance companies offered on-the-spot consultations and guidance.

Ms. Avril Ranger, Director of the Local Economic Development Support Programme, explained that the SDC’s involvement in the multi-stakeholder initiative aligns with its mandate to create spaces where Local Economic Initiatives can benefit from sales opportunities, promotion, and networking. “By coupling social services with the Economic Village, we are creating a pathway from vulnerability to sustainability. This model of convergence is how we build true community resilience,” she noted.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force, as a key stakeholder, played a critical role in the event’s success. JCF officers were present in large numbers, staffing the Kids’ Village to allow parents to access services freely, streamlining the process for reporting lost documents, providing entertainment, and ensuring the safety and security of all patrons.

The overwhelming turnout at the St. James LED Economic Village & Social Services Fair marked a significant milestone in the parish’s recovery journey. By uniting government, the private sector, and civil society under a single banner, the pooling of shared resources became a powerful symbol of collective strength, proving that even in the face of disaster, hope, dignity, and enterprise can flourish.

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After completing island-wide damage assessments and observing widespread displacement caused by Hurricane Melissa, the Social Development Commission (SDC) has shifted its national response toward identifying homelessness and the scale of displacement experienced across communities.

Working under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development (MLGCD), the SDC is leveraging its core expertise in community research, data collection, and citizen engagement to support the Government of Jamaica’s integrated national relief and recovery operations.

The SDC had already played a significant role during all phases of the national emergency, serving on Parish Disaster Committees (PDCs) during the preparedness phase, and on Parish Emergency Operations Committees (PEOCs) throughout the hurricane’s passage. Now, in the post-hurricane phase, the Commission has transitioned to its data-driven recovery role, coordinating field activities, supporting local assessments, and strengthening collaboration between residents, local leadership, and national agencies.

Drawing on its extensive on-the-ground presence, preliminary assessments by the SDC indicate that approximately 362 communities of the 775 it routinely works with experienced varying levels of disruption. The greatest impact was recorded in Westmoreland (76 communities), St. Elizabeth (61), St. James (78), Trelawny (38), Hanover (36), and Manchester (73), where the effects on livelihoods, access, and infrastructure have been most severe.

In this relief and recovery phase, SDC teams are providing critical support to the national effort by:

1.⁠ ⁠Supporting the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) in conducting Damage

Assessment Surveys to inform planning and resource allocation;

2.⁠ ⁠Conducting Temporary Accommodation Surveys to assess displaced citizens and guide shelter

and temporary accommodations interventions;

3.⁠ ⁠Supporting National Clean-Up Week through coordination and community mobilization; and

4.⁠ ⁠Providing data sharing and community engagement support to other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) working in affected areas.

Executive Director, Mr. Omar C. Frith, emphasized that the SDC’s nationwide reach and technical expertise make it an essential link between communities and government. ⁠“The SDC’s strength lies in its ability to collect reliable community data and mobilize people around recovery priorities. Our officers are on the ground in every parish, translating national direction into local action,” Frith stated.

Through its Participatory Governance Framework which connects Community Development Committees (CDCs), Development Area Committees (DACs), and Parish Development Committees (PDCs), the SDC continues to ensure that Jamaica’s recovery process remains people-centred, data-informed, and community-driven.

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“You can’t hide from it; we are involved in every aspect of your life, for example road maintenance, flood mitigation, building regulations, disaster management and responsiveness – all of it is local government. The life you live, you can’t escape local government,” he said.

Mr. Williams was speaking at the launch of the Cross-Country Island Run 2025, held on the grounds of the Manchester Municipal Corporation, in Mandeville, on October 21.

This was done by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, in collaboration with the Social Development Commission (SDC).

This year’s theme is ‘Local Government: The Work Continues’.

The State Minister said the Ministry is striving to serve people better, while streamlining efficiencies and applying technologies to its processes, so that service delivery can be far superior to what obtains now.

He added that excellent service delivery is an ongoing process that is always being worked on at the Ministry.

“I wish you athletes all the best for the run and I will join you whenever I can. Athletes will cover all 14 parishes carrying the Community Month message from the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader and the Minister of Local Government. It will end in May Pen on November 1 at the May Pen Seventh-day Adventist Church for the national church service,” he noted.

Local Government and Community Month will be observed in November.

In her message read by Shaneil Dixon, Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, State Minister, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, hailed the Local Government Ministry for the reminder that every community matters.

“The cross-island run is more than a tradition. It is a reminder that every corner of Jamaica matters – from Negril Point to Morant Point. It speaks to unity, service and transformation across our island. This year’s run comes at a time when nation-building starts right where we live; every clean-up, revived youth groups and volunteerism are the things that make communities stronger,” she said.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the SDC, Omar Frith, said the all-island run should be used as a symbol of unity and community building.

He noted that the exercise was another good example of the SDC doing its part to ensure that the Ministry’s mandate is executed, no matter which government is in charge.

“Let us hope that we translate this action into a meaningful gesture and the SDC will do its part to ensure that we not only speak unity, but our programmes and activities galvanise people for the purpose of building Jamaica. Stakeholders, students and other participants… I charge you to translate unity into your action,” Mr. Frith said.

For his part, Mayor of Mandeville, His Worship, Councillor Donovan Mitchell, said the launch represents unity of purpose, strength, vigour and the foundation on which Local Government Month will be built.

Click to view story for JIS

The second iteration of the initiative was held on Friday (August 29) at the Worldwide Church of God in Christian Gardens, Portmore, in the parish.

Parish Manager for the SDC in Portmore, Ishiwawa Hope, told JIS News that Gregory Park has been a focus for the agency to get youth involved in constructive activities, as they reside in a community that has struggled over the years with issues of gun violence and gang activities. Click here with to view full story from JIS 

The workshop was held on Friday (August 29) at the Worldwide Church of God in Christian Gardens, Portmore in the parish.

Participants were trained in welding, candle-making, bouquet and gift basket creation, lash-extension techniques, and photography.  Click here to view full story from JIS