Empowering Citizens in The Bahamas

Over the past three months, ORG Bahamas Foundation has been dedicated to the engagement and education of youth and adults in The Bahamas. With the generous support of GlobalGiving donors and other partners, we have successfully executed three impactful citizen empowerment projects:

1. Environmental Civic Action - Tide Turners Plastic Challenge:

   Under the theme of environmental civic action, ORG collaborated with dozens of students across local schools to promote the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge. This global initiative encourages youth to take actions that contribute to the sustainability of their communities by decreasing the use of plastics. Through this project, students learned practical ways to reduce plastic waste and champion environmental stewardship within their schools and communities.

2. Climate Change Adaptation Project with The Leadership Academy:

   ORG worked with a group of high school students from The Leadership Academy who were keen to understand how The Bahamas is adapting to climate change. Over a six-week period, the students delved into the national budgeting process, developed an awareness of the fiscal information the government must share with the public, and made recommendations. They explored concepts of fiscal governance, met with leaders such as the Governor of the Central Bank, and visited the Bahamas Eco Park to see firsthand how government spending can be utilized for environmental initiatives. At the end of the program, the students provided insightful recommendations to support climate change adaptation in The Bahamas. This initiative empowered the students, equipping them to participate more actively in community and national governance.

3. Community Engagement on National Debt in Grand Bahama and Abaco:

   ORG collaborated with regional partners to engage and educate community members in Grand Bahama and Abaco about the impact of high national debt on daily life and future national development. Through focus groups, Abaconians and Grand Bahamians learned about regional efforts to mitigate the effects of national debt on citizens and had the opportunity to provide input and testimonials. The feedback gathered will be used to foster further civic engagement on this topic, and community members will be given additional opportunities to be empowered through education and engagement.

ORG Bahamas Foundation continues to demonstrate the power of meaningful education and engagement, empowering communities across the archipelago to contribute to good governance and sustainable development. In the coming months, with the support of GlobalGiving supporters and other partners, ORG will be providing more opportunities for Bahamian youth and adults to "Get Informed" and "Get Involved!"