Me We Green Program

Developed in collaboration with the Paramin Development Committee (PDC) and the GEF Small Grants Programme (UNDP), the Vetiver Education & Empowerment Project (VEEP) is a community-based model that brings knowledge, sustainability, and resilience together through the Vetiver System®.

First piloted in Paramin (2016–2017) with the IAMovment, VEEP introduced the Vetiver System as a simple, low-cost bioengineering tool that empowers farmers and residents to protect their homes, roads, and farmlands from erosion. Over 25,000 vetiver plants were installed across 15 properties, supported by classroom workshops, community-designed educational materials, and local nurseries to ensure long-term plant supply.

Beyond land protection, VEEP cultivated creativity and livelihood — teaching participants to craft carbon-negative products from vetiver leaves and roots, giving rise to the community-led brand “House of Vetiver”.

The model’s success has expanded its reach to quarry rehabilitation in Valencia and Sangre Grande, and training programs in St. Lucia, supported by the launch of The Vetiver Network West Indies (TVNWI) — a regional platform for sharing knowledge, training, and access to vetiver resources.

VEEP embodies the heart of Vetiver TT’s mission: using education, collaboration, and nature-based innovation to build resilient, self-sustaining communities across the Caribbean.