Education Bahamas, The Project #61303

Empowering Youth and Adults in The Bahamas

by ORG Bahamas Foundation

Project Report | Jan 7, 2025
Building Citizen Impact Across the Bahamas

By Matthew Aubry | Executive Director

Overview
This quarter, the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) continued its vital work empowering citizens and driving meaningful change across The Bahamas. We worked tirelessly to equip individuals and organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to actively engage in governance, advocacy, and sustainable development. Together, we’re helping Bahamians to build a nation where every voice matters and every citizen feels empowered to shape their future.

Here are some of the key achievements from the past three months:

Key Achievements

Youth Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Partnership Forum
In a groundbreaking collaboration with the United Nations, ORG hosted the first-ever Youth SDG Partnership Forum in The Bahamas. This transformative event united young leaders, providing them with practical advocacy skills and a deeper understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals. These passionate youth are now better equipped to take the lead in advancing positive change in their communities.

Engaging Future Leaders at the University of The Bahamas
ORG delivered three impactful presentations to students at the University of The Bahamas, inspiring them with opportunities for self-determination. We explored topics such as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the power of civic engagement. Students were encouraged to partner with local non-profit organizations, amplifying their ability to drive meaningful change.

Advocacy Training for Civil Society and Industry Associations
ORG provided advocacy training to local environmental civil society organizations and industry associations. These hands-on sessions empowered participants with strategies to effectively engage policymakers, voice their concerns, and collaborate on solutions to critical issues.

Impact
This quarter, ORG’s efforts resonated with a diverse range of Bahamians—youth, students, civil society groups, and industry leaders. By fostering a culture of active citizenship and equipping people with the tools to take action, we’re creating a more informed and engaged society, ready to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Looking Ahead
Our journey is far from over. In the coming months, ORG will embark on a cross-island initiative, traveling to Family Island communities to:

Engage vulnerable populations and inspire active citizenship.
Educate students about governance systems and their crucial role in shaping policy and decision-making.
Conduct public education on upcoming legislation to ensure citizens understand and are prepared for its impacts.
Facilitate advocacy training to empower individuals and communities to effectively voice their concerns and drive change.

These efforts aim to leave no one behind, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of location or circumstance, has the knowledge and confidence to take part in building a better Bahamas.

Gratitude
None of this work would be possible without you—our incredible supporters. Your belief in our mission fuels every workshop, every conversation, and every milestone we achieve. Together, we are building stronger communities and a brighter future for The Bahamas. Thank you for your unwavering partnership.

At ORG, we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a nation where every citizen feels empowered to -Get informed and Get involved! to take ownership of their future. With your continued support, we look forward to achieving even greater impact in the months ahead. Stay with us as we work toward meaningful, lasting change—one community at a time.

Links:

https://www.orgbahamas.com/activecitizens/

Permalink

Sep 12, 2024
ORG offering resources and opportunities to Empower Bahamians

By Matthew Aubry | Executive Director

In the past three months, ORG Bahamas Foundation has focused on citizen empowerment and capacity building, fostering the sustainability of Bahamian communities through the following initiatives:

1. Environmental Civic Action - Pitch Night Competition:

ORG organized a national competition to empower youth to take ownership of environmental conservation. Trevan Fernander, KeAnte Roker, and Iyana Eaton were selected to receive grants to implement real-world solutions, including recycling initiatives and reducing single-use plastics. Their projects showcase how the next generation can drive lasting environmental change in their communities. By equipping these young leaders with resources and mentorship, ORG has helped cultivate long-term stewardship and social responsibility.

2. Advocacy Toolkit Development:

ORG developed The Advocacy Toolkit as a vital resource designed to empower Bahamian citizens and organizations with the knowledge and strategies necessary to advocate effectively for issues that impact their lives and communities. By providing templates, campaign guidance, and advocacy techniques, ORG is fostering a culture of civic engagement and activism. This empowers citizens to become active agents of change, ensuring their voices contribute to shaping public policy and governance. With this foundation, advocacy becomes more effective and sustainable across The Bahamas.

3.Community Engagement with Youth:

ORG, in collaboration with local not for profit Princess Court Ministries, empowered 34 young girls through leadership and civic engagement training. This initiative under ORG’s Active Citizens Bahamas program nurtures the next generation of advocates, instilling a sense of accountability and leadership in youth. These sessions provided the young girls with skills and encouragement to actively participate in their communities and to advocate for transparent, inclusive governance. By focusing on leadership development in youth, ORG is building a foundation for sustainable, long-term civic engagement and a stronger, more equitable society.

Each of these initiatives demonstrates ORG's commitment to empowering citizens with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities necessary to create lasting change in their communities. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, ORG continues to promote a more sustainable, participatory, and responsible Bahamas.

Links:

https://www.orgbahamas.com/advocacy-toolkit/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFPzBhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfnya7-NMRTYaRR2OOYghWfYOgXHsSTotuO6UdK4b8Heiq

Permalink

Mar 12, 2024
Update on Citizen Empowerment

By Matthew Aubry | Executive Director

We are pleased to present an update on the recent activities of the ORG Bahamas Foundation over the past three months. As a Bahamian not-for-profit organization, our mission revolves around promoting the principles of good governance, engaging citizens, and involving the private sector in fostering inclusive and sustainable social and economic opportunities in The Bahamas.

Over the last quarter, our team, supported by the funds raised through GlobalGiving donors, has been actively engaged in a comprehensive outreach initiative, traveling to five islands of The Bahamas, namely Grand Bahama, Andros, Cat Island, Eleuthera, and New Providence. The primary objective of these visits was to meet with community members and facilitate discussions on the vital importance of citizen participation in building a brighter future for The Bahamas.

We made a concerted effort to meet with a diverse range of stakeholders, spanning from adolescents to seniors. Our goal was to better understand the role that public trust plays in a person's capacity to "Get Informed" and "Get Involved" in the governance of their nation.

We hosted 12 grassroots focus groups and the insights and stories shared by community members were candid, honest, and passionate. The results have been powerful. Bahamians across the archipelago care deeply about the future of their Country, but are increasingly concerned about how they, as everyday citizens, can make a difference on the many issues that face their islands.

Adapting to the growing impacts of climate change; improving local education and vocational opportunities; and preparing for thye onslaught of Hurricanes are ever present challenges facing the Bahamas and it's people. Engaging and educating those that are most affected by these issues is critical in developing sustainable solutions. The firsthand accounts offered by the community members will prove invaluable as ORG Bahamas Foundation develops future programs aimed at facilitating the positive and meaningful involvement of Bahamians in the governance of their nation.

As we continue our commitment to empowering active citizens, we remain inspired by the responses received during our outreach efforts. We are dedicated to leveraging these valuable insights to enhance our existing programs and introduce new initiatives that resonate with the needs and aspirations of the Bahamian people.

In the coming months, ORG Bahamas Foundation will focus on synthesizing the gathered data, identifying common themes, and formulating strategies to address the concerns and aspirations expressed by the communities we visited.

We extend our gratitude to all those who supported us during this journey, and we look forward to the ongoing collaboration with our fellow Bahamians, stakeholders, and GlobalGiving partners. Together, we can create positive change and contribute to the realization of a more informed, engaged, and empowered Bahamas.

Links:

ORG Active Citizens Bahamas

Permalink

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.