11th EDF: Road Management and Rural Road Improvement Programme

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is among the most vulnerable countries in the world. Recently, intensified storms and rainfall concentration have caused significant damage to infrastructure: housing, road networks, schools, hospitals and utilities (water, electricity and telephone). Accordingly, the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with under the 11th European Development Fund will be implementing a Road Management and Rural Road Improvement Programme.

The overall objective of the intervention is to enhance the quality of and to improve climate change resilience of the road network in particular rural roads, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This will contribute to the stimulation of economic activities on rural communities and reduced vulnerability to climate change. The specific objectives of the intervention will be to (a) strengthen the national road management and maintenance programme whilst minimizing environmental impacts and (b) upgrade and “climate-proof” village and feeder roads.

The proposed project is aligned with the national priorities in the road sector, which are to upgrade the road network through developing a comprehensive road maintenance programme and to upgrade village and feeder roads to facilitate greater rural economic activity. This is contained in the National Economic and Social Development Plan (2013-2015).