CHEVENING ALUMNI PROGRAMME FUND (CAPF) – ST HELENA

The St Helena Chevening Alumni has been successful, for the third consecutive year, with a bid to the Chevening Alumni Programme Fund (CAPF) 2023-2024.

The on island alumni, Dax Richards, Pamela Constantine, Tracey Williams, Tara Wortley, Zedella Young and Gareth Drabble, have received CAPF funding for a project to engage the public on the economic and environmental benefits of recycling.

This new project, ‘Turning Our Waste into Profit’, will identify and promote opportunities where income could be generated through recycling, upcycling, and repurposing of island waste. The long-term aim is to encourage businesses and individuals to explore new opportunities where waste could be more effectively utilised and reduce pressures on the landfill site at Horse Ridge. As well as having potential to generate sources of income, the project will also embed the importance of recycling as a means to reduce harmful impact on the environment, and seeks to get more households on board with recycling.

In the coming weeks the alumni will be contacting various businesses and individuals to identify those willing to take part in the project which will include a forum to showcase how waste materials can be reused. An exhibition to showcase various business ventures and other possibilities on the use of recycled material is being planned for later this year.  A competition will also be launched for the ‘Best Recycled Product’.

Background on CAPF

CAPF is provided annually by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and is available to Chevening alumni around the globe who wish to submit bids to carry out short term and impactful projects within their communities. Projects are usually of an educational nature and focuses on UK Government themed areas. Topics include human rights, governance, education, climate change, environment and sustainability and science and technology.

The St Helena Chevening Alumni has delivered two successful CAPF projects in the past two years.  In 2021/2022, the project ‘Governing Our Future’ created various forums for educating the youth about the island’s political structure. Last year’s project, ‘Preparing for Our Digital Destiny’ delivered a media campaign and various workshops that provided information to the public and businesses on the opportunities that will arise from superfast and unlimited broadband.

The Chevening Alumni worldwide currently numbers over 55,000. Applications for the 2024/2025 Chevening Scholarships, enabling study for a one year’s master’s degree in the UK will open early August this year. To find out more about what a Chevening Scholarship offers, including eligibility criteria visit www.chevening.org or contact Chevening Officer, Kerry Lane at the Governor’s Office, The Castle, St Helena on telephone number: 22308 or via email through: Kerry.Lane@fcdo.gov.uk.

Governor’s Office, St Helena, Ascension & Tristan da Cunha

27 June 2023