PRINT

EnviroRightsTT

Building civil society capacity to access information, participate in policymaking and access justice in environmental matters in Trinidad and Tobago

Duration: November 2023 to November 2026

EU Contribution: EUR 300,000  ; Co financing  EUR 60,000(NDICI/CSO/449-480)

Location: Trinidad and Tobago

Implementing partner: Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), in partnership with Environment Tobago, EquiGOV Institute, Environmental Law Associates Worldwide (ELAW) and Parliamentarians for Global Action

Overview

EnviroRightsTT works to strengthen environmental governance in Trinidad and Tobago through greater transparency, accountability and inclusive decision-making, and to protect the right to a healthy environment. The project empowers civil society organisations and community members to advocate for and support vulnerable groups in accessing environmental information, participating in decision-making and seeking justice.

Like other Small Island Developing States, Trinidad and Tobago faces environment and development pressures, including climate change, that weigh on its socioeconomic development. Robust legislation, policy, citizen awareness and action are essential to sustainable development and to preserving the country's natural assets, alongside stronger mechanisms for the voice and participation of marginalised and vulnerable groups.

Institutional mechanisms to support civil society's role in environmental governance exist but remain underused. The Freedom of Information Act has been in force since 1999, yet transparency within public institutions still needs to improve; the Environmental Commission established under the Environmental Management Act 2000 is severely underutilised; and while public participation is enshrined in environmental policy, implementation varies. Trinidad and Tobago has also not yet joined the Escazú Agreement, the regional treaty on access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters that recognises the right to a healthy environment as a human right.

Target Stakeholders

The project works with civil society organisations addressing environment and development issues, including climate change, from a human rights perspective at both community and national levels; environmental defenders and advocates; professional and citizen journalists using traditional and new media; lawyers and legal experts; and parliamentarians. These stakeholders engage with the Freedom of Information Unit, the Environmental Commission, the Ministry of Planning and Development and its agencies, and the Office of the Ombudsman, all of which hold formal mandates to facilitate access to information, public participation and justice.

Activities

  • Networking and alliance building;
  • Awareness raising and capacity building;
  • Technical and legal support and guidance to CSOs and individuals in accessing information, justice and redress;
  • Small grants for pilot actions;
  • Collective advocacy;
  • Institutional assessments and strengthening.

Expected Objectives and Results

Objective: Enhanced capacity of civil society organisations in Trinidad and Tobago to advocate for and support vulnerable groups to access environmental information, participate in decision-making and seek justice, protecting citizens' right to a healthy environment.

Target stakeholders will be:

  • empowered to use the Freedom of Information Act to access environmental information, enhancing transparency and accountability;
  • empowered to participate in policy and to advocate for inclusive environmental governance;
  • more aware of, and supported to seek justice through, the mechanisms of the Environmental Commission;
  • able to foster an institutional framework and partnerships enabling CSOs to act both as independent actors and as partners in sustainable development.