Ambitious Project STAR is the largest ever, private-led social transformation initiative in Jamaica
The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), in partnership with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), will launch a J$2 billion, five-year, social transformation and renewal initiative—dubbed Project STAR on Monday, July, 25.
Hosted by media personality Miss Kitty, Project STAR will take the form of a live televised ‘One Love Conversation’ starting at 8:30 pm on TVJ. It will include a series of sensitive, but necessary, discussions designed to stimulate the mindset shift critical for real change.
The PSOJ, in a statement, said that Project STAR is national in scope and will deliver a range of proven social interventions to between 10 and 20 underinvested communities. The rollout will begin in September 2022 in east downtown Kingston, followed by May Pen proper and Savanna-La-Mar.
“Project STAR was born out of a sincere belief that positive change is always possible… and that every Jamaican community can thrive if given the right resources,” said Project STAR co-chair Keith Duncan, adding. “It will take an all-of-society approach, but the goal is the social and economic transformation of target communities, driven by a mindset change, and delivered through a suite of customised community building activities.”
A key differentiator for Project STAR is its evidence-based approach.
To achieve this, the PSOJ has key collaborators, including researcher Dr Deanna Ashley of the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA); analytics consultancy firm Project ALPHA, headed by Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee, Jr., and Larren Peart of Blue Dot Insights.
In addition to having robust monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) framework, guided by Dr Nadiya Figueroa, Project STAR will benefit from the PSOJ leveraging its management expertise and resources.
Project STAR was initiated by PSOJ President Keith Duncan and will be managed by 25-year social development veteran, Saffrey Brown, former general manager of Jamaica National Foundation and outgoing Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS) chairperson.
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