Climate Resilient Actions for Food Security for Persons with Disabilities
Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (2023-2025)
The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) is a consortium of twenty-four (24) Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). GCOPD has adopted climate smart agriculture practices and techniques to empower persons with disabilities, highlighting a significant move towards creating a sustainable and inclusive future.
In 2022, GCOPD, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), conducted a rapid online survey on food security for persons with disabilities. The data collected revealed that over 70% of persons with disabilities were experiencing food insecurity.
As a result, GCOPD realised that addressing food security through skill-building initiatives would be crucial because it empowers individuals to become self-reliant and break the cycle of dependency.
Equipping persons with disabilities with practical skills such as sustainable farming, or income-generating skills would foster long-term solutions to food insecurity rather than temporary relief. This approach would also enhance their confidence, dignity, and ability to contribute meaningfully to society, ultimately promoting a more equitable and resilient community.
In 2023, GCOPD was approved USD 50,000 funding from the GEF SGP for the Climate Resilient Actions for Food Security for Persons with Disabilities (CRAFS 4 PWDs) project. The one-year project aimed at improving the livelihoods and food security of persons with disabilities through employment opportunities and sustainable agriculture by developing climate resilience through enhancing agricultural sustainability and reducing the environmental footprint made by traditional agricultural practices.
Through the commissioning of 5 shade houses and targeted capacity building workshops on climate smart agriculture practices, the project strengthened community cohesion, built financial independence, and safeguarded food security for persons with disabilities.
Over 2024-2025, participants at the Resource Unit for the Blind harvested approximately 700 heads of lettuce and 57 heads of pak choy, generating GYD 140,000 in income. Similarly, the Open Doors Centre earned over GYD 107,000 from the sale of pak choi, lettuce and celery. The Sophia SEN School harvested approximately 50 heads of lettuce which generated GYD 8,000. Regular customers included local restaurants such as Starbuds, Fresh International, Java Coffee Bar and Rina Guest House, among other small snackette owners and community members.
The aims of CRAFS 4 PWDs project aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It addressed SDG 1 (No Poverty) by helping to create income generating opportunities and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by increasing food production and access. By promoting sustainable practices, it supported SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by adapting to climate challenges and reducing environmental impacts. Additionally, it contributed to SDG 15 (Life on Land) by protecting ecosystems and preventing land degradation, while fostering collaboration under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The project holistically addressed the economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainable development.
With continued support from GEF SGP, NAREI, Green Agro Services & Supplies and community stakeholders, GCOPD is charting a path toward a future where persons with disabilities can thrive both economically and socially. This initiative underscored the power of inclusive development and sustainable practices in creating a more equitable society. Through dedication and collaboration, GCOPD is cultivating not just crops but also hope, dignity, and opportunities for persons with disabilities in Guyana.
The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) is a registered non-governmental organisation, established in 2009. GCOPD serves as the national civil society representative body for the community of people living with disabilities in keeping with Guyana’s Persons with Disabilities Act of 2010 and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The member organisations are located in regions 2,3,4,5,6,7, and 10.
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