SBM Offshore is partnering with a local civil society organisation, the National Coordinating Coalition (NCC), to support that group with two projects targeting youth and the environment.
Through support for the Enhancing Livelihoods Youth Literacy Project and Waste Paper Recycling Initiative, SBM is hoping to build capacity of local stakeholders in Guyana as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Simone Sills, Executive Director of NCC, said the objective of the waste recycling project is to ensure that an opportunity for young people to become more environmentally-conscious citizens.
The target for that project is young mothers and young men who have not completed high school.

The other project, however, focuses on literacy.
“For the youth literacy project, we will be working with youths from ages seven to 16 and then 16 to 25.

“Collectively, 65 youths [will be participating] and the intent is to provide mentorship, tutoring, [and] school material to assist them in getting the support they need, particularly in the COVID times with the learning loss,” Sills related.

General Manager of SBM, Martin Cheong, said that the initiative is creating an environment focused on development of the individual, and where there are tangible, noticeable changes for those individuals in the long term.
“It’s really good that…you’re able to partake and support and be part of the journey for these individuals in their long term growth,” Cheong stated.

Additionally, Recardo Bovell, the Sustainability and Social Impact Program Development Officer of SBM, said that upon visits to communities, there is evidence that there are many needs.
“NCC has been a worthy partner of ours and they are looking to make a change in communities.

“And because there are such significant needs, SBM thought it wise to partner with NCC to be able to support them in providing some support and development to these communities through the project that we will participate in,” Bovell explained.

Operations Sustainability Director of SBM, Philippe Moulin, related that the ambition of both NCC and SBM are aligned as they both believe in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals Four (Quality Education) and Goal Nine (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

“[As it relates to SDG] Four, with education, [this is] where we are engaging here and supporting this initiative to help youngsters to receive support in their education journey, and also in making them aware of waste management and what recycling brings to the society in the long-run,” Moulin said. (Cassandra Khan)