International Reggae Day Festival – Tree Planting Challenge Project Brief Title: International Reggae Day Tree Planting Challenge Background/Context: July 1 is recognized as International Reggae Day (IRD). One of the focuses for this year’s staging is the environment which will be highlighted through a “Tree Planting Challenge”. Consequently, IRD’s organizers have approached the National Housing Trust (NHT) as well as other corporate entities to partner with them to plant one (1) million trees worldwide - June 1 to July 1, 2017. The aim of this project is to raise awareness about climate change as well as motivate organizations and communities to recognize its impact on communities. The NHT’s mandate is to provide housing for its contributors and this involves the removal of trees which are not replanted. By partnering with IRD, the NHT will show that it is aware of the implications and display its willingness to address this issue. The NHT will be delivering 10,000 units by March 2020 and will use this opportunity to provide each new homeowner with a seedling for planting. Objectives: To raise awareness about climate change and motivate members of NHT development citizens associations particularly youth and communities, to become advocates for climate justice. To plant 10,000 trees by March 2010 To develop sustainable business practices Target Outcomes Reduced carbon footprint of the NHT by partnering with IRD to plant 10,000 trees by July 1, 2017. How will the success of the project be measured: Planting of 500 trees by March 2020 Implementation of clean air and food campaign in all NHT built schemes by March 2018 Output(s): Environmental awareness increased among NHT beneficiaries Planting trees in all NHT financed housing developments. Governance: Project sponsor Approve the project and budget Spokesperson for the project Seek and obtain buy in of other support departments in the NHT Project Manager Network with organizations to provide seedlings at low to no cost Liaise with other departments to launch campaign for clean air and food security Project Team Support the project manager Provide bi-monthly reports on assignments . Reporting Requirements: Reports will be done a monthly basis by the project manager which will then be submitted to the project sponsor for review and approval of any actions. Resources: The project will be managed and coordinated internally and no external consultants will be required. Costs associated with the project will be assigned to the NHT’s operational budget. Stakeholders & Communication Strategy: IRD organizers – telephone calls and emails NHT Managing Director (Sponsor) – telephone and emails Project Manager – emails and meetings Project team – emails and meetings Assumptions and Constraints: Recipients will plant the seedlings 500 individuals will become NHT beneficiaries by March 2017 Major Risks & Minimisation Strategies: Risk- Lack of buy in from NHT staff and customers Control - develop effective marketing strategies/stage a competition among the developments Risk – unavailability of free trees Control – delay delivery until trees are available Risk Management: The project is small and the project team will try to avoid as many risks as possible by engaging in proper planning and also developing creative marketing strategies.