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Growing Spaces

Building safe and sustainable communities for LGBTQI+ people in Trinidad and Tobago

Duration: Nov 2023 – July 2028

EU Contribution: EUR  250,000. Total 265,899

Location: Trinidad and Tobago

Implementing partner: CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice

Overview

Growing Spaces responds directly to the housing crisis and food insecurity facing LGBTQI+ people in Trinidad and Tobago, where legal protections against discrimination are absent. The project opens pathways for LGBTQI+ community members, including migrants, refugees and those experiencing unemployment, to access their economic, social and cultural rights. It expands CAISO's Wholeness and Justice programme and community outreach, together with the organisation's long-standing policy advocacy and recommendations.

The project builds a justice model of sustainable development through three interconnected zones of influence: Shelter and Wellness, Food and Nutrition Security, and Healing Justice Support Systems. By meeting basic needs and providing healing-centred programming, Growing Spaces supports community members towards greater self-determination, and it generates data and best practice to advocate for inclusive policies and services at the national level.

Zones of Influence

  • Zone 1 — Shelter and Wellness: provides immediate safety and stability for the most vulnerable, offering emergency housing for those experiencing homelessness, violence or discrimination. Shelter is integrated with wellness programmes led by trauma-informed professionals, and a resource hub supports livelihood opportunities, including skill-sharing workshops.
  • Zone 2 — Food and Nutrition Security: addresses economic and food insecurity through community-led initiatives. It increases food sovereignty through training and starter kits for growing healthy food, establishes a community garden for sharing and trading produce, and supports a multi-purpose co-operative that creates sustainable work opportunities while integrating lessons on climate adaptation.
  • Zone 3 — Healing Justice Support Systems: focuses on holistic healing and the connection between social and ecological justice. It develops creative workshops and nature-based activities exploring the links between gender, climate and healing, nurturing a community of activists who understand the intersections of sexuality, gender, race and class and fostering long-term resilience and advocacy.

Expected Objectives and Results

Objective: To empower vulnerable and marginalised LGBTQI+ community members through holistic, supportive and sustainable resources that address immediate needs for shelter and food, and foster long-term resilience, wellbeing and self-advocacy.

Key outcomes:

  • Enhanced access to shelter and wellness for vulnerable community members through secure housing, psychosocial support and livelihood opportunities;
  • Increased food and nutrition security through community training, gardening and sustainable economic initiatives;
  • Expanded understanding and engagement with healing justice across the intersections of gender and climate justice, building a more resilient and empowered community.