On October 20, 2011 a meeting was called by AMFO at the Belvedere Community Center, informing NGOs about the eminent stoppage of Dutch development funds by December 2012.
Since November 2010 a group of NGOs backed by St. Martin United NGO Federation (SUNFed) has continued working with stakeholders seeking information and possible solutions for continuation of NGO funding. Pivotal to this was meeting key stakeholders including our local Government, departments and others.
St. Maarten opted to set up its own funding agency, and we welcome such wholeheartedly. However, we are most concerned about the process, and if we (St. Maarten) are ready to take over the workload executed by AMFO over the past eight years (8) without interrupting the ongoing NGO programs and their target groups.
Poverty affects us all: it is a known fact that we are living during difficult moments. As NGOs regardless of the areas of service, be it social, religious, arts or culture, environment, gender, economics, education, sports, you name it, we are all affected one way or another by poverty. We need to find common ground in addressing this issue that is sweeping cancerously through our community.
A meeting is scheduled for Thursday February 16, 2012 at 6:00PM at the Belvedere Community Center where information on the following areas would be outlined to you:
where information on the following areas would be outlined to you:
· Assessment of 2012 plans (financial plans of NGOs)
· Report INDP (Integrated Neighborhood Development)
· Status of new funding agency
Let us UNITE IN FIGHTING POVERTY!