As part of its commitment to bridging the infrastructural and economic gap between hinterland and urban communities, the Guyanese government has allocated nine billion dollars for Amerindian development programs in the 2024 budget.
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh highlighted this initiative during the budget presentation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
A significant portion of the allocated funds, totaling 2.7 billion dollars, is derived from the sale of carbon credits.
These funds will be directed towards supporting 242 indigenous communities across the country. In 2023, a total of 4.7 billion dollars, representing 15% of carbon sales receipts, was transferred to the bank accounts of Amerindian villages.
In 2024, an additional 2.7 billion dollars is expected to be transferred from carbon credit sales to further support these communities.
The budget also includes specific allocations for key initiatives:
- National Toshaos Conference: 100 million dollars have been earmarked for the hosting of the conference, emphasizing the importance of indigenous leadership and collaboration.
- Amerindian Land Titling Project: Funding for this project has increased from 111 million in 2023 to 800 million dollars in 2024, demonstrating the government’s commitment to securing land rights for indigenous communities.
- Presidential Grants and Economic Initiatives: To promote sustainable village economies, Presidential Grants will continue to be distributed to each Amerindian community, with 3.4 billion dollars budgeted for various economic initiatives.
In addition, over 1.2 billion dollars has been allocated for the Community Service Officers (CSO) programs, benefiting more than 2600 Indigenous youths.
Other allocations include 147 million dollars for Amerindian Heritage celebrations and 105 million for the Hinterland Scholarship Programme.
This comprehensive budget allocation underscores the government’s dedication to fostering development, empowerment, and economic sustainability in Amerindian communities.
It reflects a holistic approach to addressing the diverse needs and aspirations of indigenous populations, promoting inclusivity and well-being.