The Anse Kouanari Tourism Association Inc. (AKTA) hosted a significant Community Impact & Project Milestones Ceremony on December 29, 2025, in Castle Bruce, Dominica, marking the successful completion of a UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme-funded beekeeping project while simultaneously launching a new ecosystem restoration initiative supported by the Dominica National Conservation Trust Fund (DNCTF).
The ceremony featured the graduation of 21 community members who received certificates for completing comprehensive beekeeping training. Participants shared transformative experiences, highlighting how the project enhanced their skills, boosted confidence, and reinforced their commitment to environmental stewardship. One beneficiary expressed newfound appreciation for bees’ critical role in human survival, announcing plans to double their hive count by early 2026.
Key government and industry representatives offered strong endorsements during the event. Mr. Keian Stephenson, Director of Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, praised the initiative for its potential to increase pollinator populations and enhance honey production along Dominica’s eastern coast. Mr. Kevin James, President of the National Beekeeper’s Cooperative Society Ltd., emphasized bees’ vital role in environmental sustainability while reaffirming his organization’s partnership with AKTA to establish Dominica as a regional beekeeping leader. He encouraged graduates to transition ‘from training to practice, from interest to involvement, and from individual effort to collective growth.’
AKTA’s newly launched DNCTF-supported project aims to build upon the apiary program’s success by advancing ecosystem restoration, developing climate-resilient livelihoods, and expanding community participation in conservation activities throughout the Castle Bruce District. The association also announced an upcoming free plant propagation training program scheduled for late January, inviting local farmers and residents to participate.
AKTA extended gratitude to multiple organizations including UNDP GEF SGP, DNCTF, Global Affairs Canada, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, and CUSO International for their funding and collaborative support. Looking ahead, AKTA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable development, conserving biodiversity, and empowering youth and communities through inclusive, locally-driven strategies.