DSIF’s work a remarkable achievement

The impact of the Dominica Social Investment Fund (DSIF), an initiative geared at tackling poverty in Dominica, will be assessed soon as that programme has ended.

DSIF Chairman Marcus Francis made that disclosure Friday, highlighting that the 52 projects which DSIF funded over the past two years is a “remarkable achievement”.

“The programme has come to an end under the cycle of the European Union funding, and as we look back we’re doing our final reports now. We are pleased with the level of input that we have made to the country,” Francis stated.

“We will conduct in the near future a post-implementation survey; an impact study to give us a sense of the impact DSIF has had on the community. Right now we have evaluated the outcomes and the feedback is positive, coming from a number of communities.”

Francis said he is confident a greater evaluation of DSIF’s impact on the society in the next year or two will portray “the transformation of communities, the positive impact on lives, the positive impact on vulnerable groups and we would look back with pride on the work that DSIF has done in Dominica.”

The DSIF was established by the Dominica government as a result of recommendations coming out from the country poverty assessment of 2003.

“This was meant to channel activities and implement development projects that will improve the living conditions of poor communities [and] vulnerable groups and provide support for the speedy provision of basic economic and social services to underserved communities and citizens,” said Gloria Shillingford, Minister for Social services and Community Development.

According to Shillingford, DSIF will be remembered for its meaningful contributions and its programmes, which have “touched the lives” of Dominicans.

– DNO Correspondent