Grassroots organisations are receiving the tools to tackle violence and build safer communities through the Citizen Security Plan (CSP), which has technical and financial support from the European Union.

One such group, the Montego Bay-based Men and Women of Destiny Global Limited, has leveraged this partnership to expand its vision and reach at-risk boys and young men.

Founded in 2015 by Olivia Shaw-Lovell, the group began as a support circle for women facing abuse and hardship in Mount Salem. Over the years, it has grown into a lifeline for survivors of gender-based violence, offering training in entrepreneurship, cosmetology, and psychosocial resilience. While it was previously known as the Women of Destiny, the group recently updated its name to reflect a more modern approach, which incorporates men and women as partners in ending gender-based violence.

“For years, much of the focus has rightly been on women, but too many of our boys are being left behind,” Shaw-Lovell noted. “As a mother of two sons, I see how urgent it is to give them positive role models, outlets, and guidance. With the support from CSP, we are taking steps to make that vision a reality,” said Shaw-Lovell.

The organisation plans to pilot a new programme in 2026 with support from the CSP: the “Sons and Fathers Mentorship” programme, which will be launched in Mount Salem. The planned initiative will use football and structured life skills sessions to engage boys and young men. The programme will then be replicated in other CSP communities as part of a wider approach to reducing and responding to violence.

Over the years, the organisation has helped women achieve financial independence through HEART-certified cosmetology and entrepreneurship training, giving them the means to leave abusive environments and start their own businesses. One participant shared with Shaw-Lovell, “She was able to leave a decade-long abusive relationship and went further to say she can now see herself as a substance in society. She runs her own hair business, and expressed that her confidence is back,” said Shaw-Lovell. The CSP support has equipped the organisation with practical tools and resources to extend a better range of services.

“The Citizen Security Plan has given us the tools and training to respond more effectively to crisis situations,” Shaw-Lovell explained. Through CSP-supported capacity building, members of the organisation completed mental health and first aid training, enabling them to better identify persons in crisis and refer them to the right services. “We’re no longer just listening to problems; we can now intervene in real ways, connect people to resources, and prevent trauma from escalating.”

The CSP connects community-based organisations with resources and technical expertise, ensuring those closest to the issues can deliver meaningful change. The EU has participated in CSP Data Sharing Committee dialogues within the community and acknowledges the valuable insights provided by the data and partner agencies, which have been used to adjust their programmes accordingly. “We live in these spaces, we know the challenges, and we’re doing the work on the ground,” Shaw-Lovell said. “The CSP’s support helps us strengthen that work and create real impact.”

The EU’s support to the Citizen Security Plan dates back to 2020 and continues to serve as a model for how international partnerships can strengthen communities in Jamaica’s most vulnerable areas.