Vetiver Education and Empowerment Program (VEEP)
The Vetiver Education & Empowerment Project (VEEP): Building Caribbean Resilience.
The Vetiver Education & Empowerment Project (VEEP) is a pioneering knowledge-sharing model designed to empower communities with nature-based solutions. Originally developed in Paramin, Trinidad, in partnership with the Paramin Development Committee (PDC) and the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme, VEEP introduces the Vetiver System (VS) as a cost-effective bio-engineering tool for farmers and homeowners to protect infrastructure and agricultural land.
The Paramin Prototype: A Success Story in Bio-Engineering
Launched in 2016-2017, the initial VEEP project established a blueprint for community-led climate adaptation:
- Infrastructure Protection: 25,000 vetiver plants were installed across 15 high-risk properties.
- Capacity Building: Classroom workshops and educational brochures were co-created with the community to ensure long-term knowledge transfer.
- Sustainable Supply Chains: Several community nurseries were established to provide a permanent supply of vetiver plants.
- The “House of Vetiver” Brand: Participants were trained in creating carbon-negative handicrafts, including baskets, mats, and soaps, from vetiver leaves and roots, providing a secondary income stream.
Regional Expansion and Quarry Rehabilitation
Following its success in Paramin, the VEEP model has gained international recognition and is now being scaled across the Caribbean:
- Valencia & Sangre Grande, Trinidad: Applying the VEEP model to large-scale Quarry Rehabilitation.
- Canaries, St. Lucia: Implementing condensed training programs for regional soil stabilization.
The Vetiver Network West Indies (TVNWI)
To support the regional growth of bio-engineering, we have launched The Vetiver Network West Indies (TVNWI). This digital platform serves as a hub for:
- Education & Awareness: Connecting partners and stakeholders with the VEEP model.
- Resource Access: Facilitating access to vetiver plants, technical training, and regenerative project data.
- Climate Mitigation: Helping Caribbean island states become more resilient to extreme weather through simple, cost-effective tools.