The Market Access and Rural Enterprise Development Programme (MAREP) has begun to administer the Social Capital Assessment Tool (SCAT) and the Empowerment Tool in its target communities; La Tante, Maran, Mt. Craven, Mt. Horne, Levera/La Fortune and Non Pariel. The objective of the SCAT and Empowerment Tool is to assess social and economic conditions in the community, identify resources for development and develop appropriate interventions in response to improve the social and economic well being of residents, particularly unemployed and underemployed young people and small agriculture and non agricultural business operators. Administration of the SCAT will be completed during the first quarter of this year. In conducting the SCAT, residents assess the community’s physical assets, situation of family and youth, jobs, housing, health and the environment, education, business opportunities, basic needs and recreation facilities. The Empowerment Tool assesses Community Based Organisations and groups’ strengths and weaknesses in its levels of relations with the community, relations among members, registration, membership, financial management, democracy, leadership, direct implementation and strategic alliances. To date, MAREP has administered the SCAT and Empowerment Tool in 4 target communities through the community based organisations; La Tante through the La Tante Development Organisation, in Maran through the Maran Development Committee, In Levera/La Fortune through the Levera/La Fortune Organisation for Development and in Mt. Horne through the Mt. Horne Progressive Organisation. Results have been disseminated in two communities - Maran and Mt. Horne. During the dissemination session, the CBO and community members in collaboration with MAREP identify needs of residents and develop preliminary plans to address those needs such as business development training, financial management training, parenting, home management training, health and gender training and plan activities to strengthen the Community Based Organisations to provide relevant service to the community, identify resources that can be developed to improve the livelihood of residents such as historical and cultural landmarks, beaches, springs and waterfalls. MAREP is a six year Programme (2011-2017) funded by the Government of Grenada (GOG), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and beneficiaries at an estimated cost of US$8.5 million. MAREP aims to increase the income of rural young unemployed or self-employed men and women in 50 rural communities in Grenada and Carriacou, through training/human capacity building and enterprise development in agricultural and non-agricultural programmes and activities. For further information, please call 442-0100/0105, or fax: 442-0104 or email: marepgrenada@gmail.com