Grow In Time

Day 2 in Vienna, and what an experience it's been so far!

From the North Leeward ends of Vincy all the way to Vienna, the vetiver experience left its mark on the UN main stage.

FEB 18, 2026, the first day of the UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization Climate Adaptation and Industrial Resilience Forum was jam-packed with panel discussions and presentations from some of the top experts and changemakers working in the areas of climate change adaptation and resilience.

Hand2Earth Manager and Project Designer Vonnie Roudette presented our North Leeward project work during this high-level session. The story, impact and community adoption of this project—initially started in 2022 with grant funding from SVG Conservation Fund —gave an insightful account of how things really are on the ground, in the communities, among the project participants facing various challenges in the midst of the changing climate.

Her presentation positioned our on-going North Leeward project as an example of locally-led adaptation in practice, demonstrating how community-driven solutions are designed, governed, and sustained. It shed light on what enabling support is needed to move projects such as these from pilots to scalable models, especially within vulnerable island communities.

We're extremely proud that H2E's very own project designer, Vonnie a.k.a. Miss a.k.a. Empress, is able to represent the Vetiver Heritage Family, Hand2Earth, and of course, sweet, sweet St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this global event.

Hand2Earth is in Vienna, Austria this week! 🛬

Project Manager/Designer Vonnie Roudette is presenting our active farmland restoration project at the UNIDO Climate Adaptation and Industrial Resilience Forum from February 17-20, 2026 at the Vienna International Centre as one of the 22 recipients of the globally competitive Inclusive GEF Assembly Challenge Award.

In 2023, Hand2Earth’s farmland restoration project was selected from 600 global applicants. This Award has enabled us to scale our climate adaptation project in North Leeward, SVG that began in 2022 with a SVG Conservation Fund grant. The project now encompasses watershed management and trail development for agri-heritage tourism.

Our farmland restoration project continues to see steady growth in community involvement. We currently work with 85 farmers and 21 crafters — reaching over 200 households since 2022.

We are honored to be invited to share the experience of our project participants in such a high-level setting this week!

Many, many thanks Global Environment Facility and UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization 🌱

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Our FEB 15, 2026 press release is now available on our blog —> [https://www.hand2earth.org/impact/local-ngo-hand2earth-to-present-at-unido-climate-adaptation-forum-in-vienna]

Big things are happening this week! We're presenting at the UNIDO Climate Adaptation and Industrial Resilience Forum 2026 in Vienna, Austria.

Our parent organization, Hand2Earth, has gained recognition locally and regionally for establishing prisoner rehabilitation programs in vetiver craft, literacy education and sustainable farming since 2015. Hand2Earth’s farmland restoration project was selected in 2023 as one of 22 winners from 600 applicants globally for the Inclusive GEF Assembly Challenge Award.

The Award has since enabled Hand2Earth to scale up its climate adaptation project in St. Vincent’s North Leeward area that began in 2022 with a grant from the SVG Conservation Fund.

Many thanks to everyone that's helped to make this momentous experience possible!

Hand2Earth’s farmland restoration project was selected in 2023 as one of 22 winners from 600 applicants globally.

The award has enabled Hand2Earth to scale up its climate adaptation project in St. Vincent’s North Leeward area, which began in 2022 with a grant from the SVG. Conservation Fund.

Tap this link to read this article: https://tinyurl.com/5y83u4h8

Happy Holidays!! Wishing you a safe and joy-filled festive season as we usher in the new year.

We look forward to sharing even more of our vetiver journey with you all as we feed the soil to feed the soul with many hands to the earth.

Last minute gifting? We’ve got you covered.
Our showroom is open today (December 23rd) until 2 PM.

Be sure to stop by and get your handcrafted vetiver gifts!


Find us at the Hand2Earth Vetiver Heritage Centre at
the Orange House (2nd house on the right)
College Gap, Villa
SVG, W.I.

And another vetiver craft workshop is underway!
We’re proud to be hosting a group of young Vincentians this week and welcome them on this vetiver journey.

The vetiver craft workshop is led by veteran grassman Tazz who’ll be delivering introductory training to a small group of youths with assistance from Hand2Earth Vetiver Heritage Family member Felicia over the course of the week. At the end of the experience, they’ll have acquired the practical skills of plaiting vetiver ropes, stitching and craft construction techniques, as well as basic design knowledge and a better understanding of vetiver’s use in land conservation and farming.

It’s so exciting to witness these skills being passed on to the next generation of Vincy creatives!

Thanks to the Department of Culture under the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Creative Industries for their support in making this experience possible for Vincentian youths.

BIG news: “Grassmen III” has been selected alongside 6 Vincentian films for CARIFESTA XV and will be screening this week! 🎬✨

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St. Vincent and the Grenadines Film Delegation at CARIFESTA XV — A Showcase of Vincentian Films 🇻🇨

Our stories. Our heritage. Our creativity. 🌿💫
The Vincentian spirit lights up the big screen at CARIFESTA, celebrating resilience, history, culture and imagination.

📅 Screening Schedule:

DAY 1
Monday, August 25
🕕 6 PM – 9 PM
🎥 Views From the Middle (GA, 16:47) – Golden Square

DAY 2
Tuesday, August 26
🕙 10 AM – 12 PM
🎥 Grassman III (GA, 13:37) – EBCCI Cinematheque
🎥 Views From the Middle (GA, 16:47) – EBCCI Cinematheque
🎥 Cartman (PG, 20:59) – Haymans Market

🕛 12 PM – 2 PM
🎥 Views From the Middle (GA, 16:47) – Haymans Market

🕕 6 PM – 9 PM
🎥 Fire and Smoke: The 2021 Eruption (GA, 07:57) – Haymans Market
🎥 Sugar Lands (PG, 44:59) – Haymans Market

DAY 3
Thursday, August 28
🕕 6 PM – 9 PM
🎥 Madulu, The Seaman (GA, 21:53) – EBCCI Warner Walcott Theatre
🎥 I am Garifuna (GA, 06:58) – Golden Square
🎥 Grassman III (GA, 13:37) – Golden Square

DAY 4
Friday, August 29
🕙 10 AM – 12 PM
🎥 Cartman (PG, 20:59) – EBCCI Cinematheque

🌍 Proudly representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the Caribbean’s greatest festival of arts and culture!

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