Haiti Donor Convening
Inter-American Foundation June 12, 2024
Washington, D.C.
June 12, 2024
Inter-American Foundation
1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 1200 North, Washington, D.C. 20004
Championing Community-Led Development
HDI believes that a new Haiti will be comprised of strong local communities, especially in rural areas which are the heart and soul of the country. Supporting community-led development is one of the most effective strategies for development assistance. The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) has been a longstanding champion of community-led development, and has made grants to over 200 local organizations in Haiti.
So we were delighted to co-organize with IAF a one-day convening of 40 funders, donors, grant intermediaries and capacity builders to do a deep dive into how to both increase the amount of funding directed to community-led development and ensure we are providing the most effective forms of support.
A panel of Haitian experts on community-led development shared updates on what local communities are facing during the current situation and highlighted the opportunities presented. The crisis in Port-au-Prince has caused tens of thousands of residents to move or return to rural communities. There is broad recognition that the country’s future lies in decentralization. There is strong solidarity in rural communities and young people eager to engage in local development, particularly in improving the profitability of agriculture.
Participants discussed the best ways to support the development of leadership and institutions crucial to advancing community development and then made commitments on specific actions they will take to help bring more resources to community led development.
Co-organizers:
Conference Program
9:00 am - 9:30 am Coffee and socializing
PLENARY
9:30 am – 9:45 am Welcoming remarks
Marco Dolan, Deputy Director of Programs, Inter-American Foundation
Sara Aviel, President and CEO, Inter-American Foundation
Delle Joseph, Immediate Past Board President, Haiti Development Institute
9:45 am – 10:00 am Icebreaker
10:00 am - 10:45 am
Panel Discussion—Haiti Is Not Port-au-Prince - Deep Dive Into Community Led Development in Country Context
Dieusibon Pierre Merite, Inter-American Foundation Local Liaison in Haiti
Keziah Jean, IAF regional field advisor and former grantee participant
Dr. Maudlin Mesadieu, Executive Director, Unite de Lutte pour la Sante Clinic
Reginald Cean, MBA, Program Director, Haiti Development Institute
- B R E A K -
11:00 am - 12:00 pm BREAKOUT GROUPS
WHAT - Refining Our Understanding of the Community-led Model in Haiti and Effective Support of It
Facilitators:
Jenny Petrow, Senior Foundation Representative, Inter-American Foundation
Carolina Cardona, Foundation Representative - Haiti and DR, Inter-American Foundation
Pierre Andre Noel, Executive Director, Haiti Development Institute
Reginald Cean, Program Director, Haiti Development Institute
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm Lunch
PLENARY
12:45 pm - 1:00 pm
Fireside Chat—A Donor Perspective on Supporting Community-led Development In Haiti
Karen Keating Ansara, Founder, Ansara Family Fund
Pierre Andre Noel, Executive Director, Haiti Development Institute
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm BREAKOUT GROUPS
HOW - Donor Collaboration and Complementarity
Facilitators:
Jenny Petrow, Senior Foundation Representative, Inter-American Foundation
Carolina Cardona, Foundation Representative - Haiti and DR, Inter-American Foundation
Pierre Andre Noel, Executive Director, Haiti Development Institute
Reginald Cean, Program Director, Haiti Development Institute
PLENARY
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Commitments Session
Facilitators:
Matt Clausen, Inter-American Foundation
Reginald Cean, Haiti Development Institute
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Closing Remarks
Honorable Michele Pierre-Louis, President, FOKAL
Pierre Andre Noel, Executive Director, Haiti Development Institute
3:15 pm - 4:45 pm Optional Happy Hour