What is the HRI?

Biogas - Energy from Waste: At present, organic waste from the markets and households of Haiti is generally dumped in an uncontrolled manner, which encourages the spread of vermin and disease. One solution under development is anaerobic biodigestion: converting organic waste into methane for energy and solid and liquid fertilizer. Several small scale units are already in operation and major feasibility study is underway to determine the potential for locating a large facility in Port-au-Prince.

SDS is a solution incubator and promoter—hosted by UNEP, it acts as a support mechanism and web-based showcase for projects, approaches, technologies, and organizations that offer scalable solutions to very specific challenges in Haiti. The type of support that SDS provides for each solution varies, but can include technical and financial assistance, a promotional platform, and fundraising support. In most cases, the organizations and links featured on the SDS web pages are completely independent from UNEP—the SDS team endorses them because the technology or approach has clear potential for success and the organizations have a record of strong delivery.

The goal of SDS is to encourage the growth of these solutions from their often small-scale beginnings to eventual application on a national scale; it is expected that most solutions will require 5−10 years of growth before operating countrywide. To learn more about featured projects and organizations, visit the SDS home page.

Ecotourism - New Livelihoods: The Millennium Village Project in Port-à-Piment is situated in a region with rich natural resources, including Grotte Marie Jeanne, one of the largest cave systems in the Caribbean. One of the proposed poverty reduction strategies for residents of Port-à-Piment is economic diversification, away from traditional subsistence agriculture and into cash generating opportunities, such as ecotourism.

The Millennium Villages Project is an integrated development programme, with its original projects launched in 14 sites in 10 countries across Africa. The projects are designed to demonstrate how the Millennium Development Goals can be attained within a five to ten year period. The concept is anchored in science-based and community-driven strategies. Millennium Villages offer a holistic and inter-sectoral approach to development, addressing key dimensions of extreme poverty: low income, hunger, disease, gender inequality, lack of education, environmental sustainability, and inadequate shelter. Results after five years are highly positive and include truly remarkable gains in a number of sectors including health, water and sanitation, and food security.
Preparations have been underway since 2009 to start the first Millennium Village in the Western Hemisphere in the watershed of Port-à-Piment on the southwest coast of the South Department. Local design and preparation work has already begun, and an official launch of the Millennium Village is planned for Q1 2012. The expected duration of the Port-à-Piment Millennium Village is 10 years. To learn more, visit the Port-à-Piment Millennium Village home page.

Marine Programme - Sustainable Fisheries: Overfishing and catching of juvenile fish can damage the environment and limit the livelihoods of fishermen throughout coastal Haiti. The CSI Marine Programme aims to support the industry through education, participatory local management and investments to both increase yields and ensure sustainability.

The Côte Sud Initiative (CSI) is a new 20-year sustainable development initiative for the South Department of Haiti. The CSI is the proving ground for the theory, technology, and partnerships behind the HRI, put into practice within a specific region and in an integrated, inclusive manner.

Launched in January 2011, the current focus of the CSI is on mobilization, partnership development, and early practical action. The CSI is coordinated by the CSI Partnership, which as of September 2011 consisted of 11 organizations, including the Government of Haiti. To learn more, visit the CSI home page.

The future of Haiti: The population of Haiti is young and still growing rapidly. Innovative solutions are needed to both fund current education needs and develop a vibrant and growing economy for future employment.

Haiti 2040 is the new applied research and policy support component of the Haiti Regeneration Initiative. Support activities are ongoing from 2010 and the core research and publication activities are at the proposal and consultation stage. The proposed focus of Haiti 2040 is guiding and catalyzing sustainable development over the next 30 years. Currently the Haiti 2040 team is supporting a new joint project of the WorldWatch Institute and the Government of Haiti for the production of a Low-Carbon Energy Roadmap for Haiti. To learn more, visit the Haiti 2040 home page.