In late October, the Protected Areas Trust (PAT) hosted a two-day Proposal Writing Workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of its grantees to develop high-quality, fundable conservation projects. Held on October 29 and 30, 2025, at the University of Guyana’s Centre for Information Technology, the workshop brought together representatives from the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the Kanashen Village Council (KVC), with support from CUSO International and the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF).

The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Mariscia Charles, former PAT Trustee and Chair of the Grants Review Committee, alongside PAT representatives Ms. Oleta Williams and Ms. Nikkita Greene. Over the two days, 43 participants engaged in interactive sessions designed to demystify the proposal development process and build practical skills in project design, budgeting, and donor alignment.

A Hands-On Approach to Proposal Writing

Day 1 focused on the fundamentals of proposal writing, beginning with an overview of the Protected Areas Act of 2011 and PAT’s funding priorities. Participants explored the structure of a strong proposal, including problem statements, goals, objectives, activities, and expected results. The day concluded with sessions on SMARTIE objectives and translating ideas into actionable workplans.

Day 2 built on this foundation with sessions on Logical Frameworks, Theories of Change, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL). Participants learned how to communicate project narratives effectively, ensure sustainability, and align budgets with project activities. The day wrapped up with a walkthrough of PAT’s proposal template and submission process, followed by certificate distribution.

Senior Protected Areas Officer Ronell Lewis shared her reflections:

“The proposal writing training was helpful because it enhanced our teams understanding of how to properly design, structure, and prepare a good project proposal. What I found particularly useful was structuring proposals using standard donor formats, budget preparation and how to align realistic costs with project activities, effective communication and justification techniques to make proposals more competitive and developing clear problem statements and linking them to measurable objectives. I believe that the training will help the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) strengthen its capacity to secure external funding for conservation and strengthen the proposals to the PAT. The team will be better equipped to develop quality proposals that align with not only the organisation but also national priorities. Ultimately, this will enhance the PACs ability to implement impactful conservation initiatives, support local livelihoods, and sustain the management of protected areas across Guyana.“

The Proposal Writing Workshop reaffirmed CBF and PAT’s commitment to building local capacity and fostering collaboration across Guyana’s National Protected Areas System. By equipping stakeholders with the tools to design and implement impactful projects, PAT continues to support sustainable development and biodiversity conservation across the country.