What is the PLACE project?
The Peaceable Livelihood Assessment for Community Engagement (PLACE) project is PIND’s community engagement strategy in the communities of Egbokodo and Ubeji in Warri, Delta State, established in 2013. Through PLACE, we seek to create a peaceful and enabling environment for the operations of PIND while simultaneously providing opportunities for economic growth and development for the mutual benefits of stakeholders.
Why the PLACE project?
Through PLACE, PIND boosts relations with communities surrounding the Economic Development Center (EDC) in Warri, Delta State, by promoting peace and helping identify opportunities that bring a functional means of livelihood.
Key objectives of the PLACE project are:
- Strengthening technical and income opportunities for aquaculture groups in the communities;
- Strengthening existing peace building initiatives and facilitate new ones
- Supporting existing Trade Associations in form of training and business linkages as well as micro credit schemes;
- Capacity building for the CDCs, Youth Associations, trade associations and cooperatives; and
- Extension of PIND’s ATED Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project to the communities.
Activities undergone with PLACE benefit cooperatives, youth and other members of PIND Warri EDC’s neighboring communities:
- Interactive training sessions in negotiation, mediation, advocacy, and conflict resolution
- Skill acquisition programs
- Providing micro-credit facilities to cooperatives where needed
.
Key Achievements
- Promotes Peace
Through the PLACE project, we have successfully reduced the potential for violent conflicts which could adversely affect PIND’s activities in the region. As a result of PLACE, the communities have a good understanding of how PIND operates, and we have a good understanding of their needs and how best we can help them.
- Boosted businesses
PLACE has also successfully boosted the business through its micro-credit Support for Sisan Iyatsere Multipurpose Cooperative Society (MPCS), Ubeji and Egbokodo-Itsekiri Micro Credit Scheme. Sisan Iyatsere MPCS successfully completed two batches of loan disbursements and recoveries as of end of July 2016.
- Increased yield and income
We introduced fish farmers in the community to new fish farming strategies through our demonstration pond project under our aquaculture value chain program. Even with initial skepticism, we have seen these strategies help improve yield for these communities’ fish farmers. This has resulted in an increase in income derived from fish farming and more people within the Warri EDC are now engaging in fish farming.
- Improved skill and capacity
Through our training sessions, we have been able to help local youths and the Community Development Committees (CDC) members acquire the necessary skills that will enable them successfully engage with private sector organizations for job opportunities, projects and contracts.