SCARLETTE Gillings, who has been managing director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for the last 16 years, beams with pride when she discloses that the fund, the first government agency to become ISO 14001 certified, has reached and — on some points exceeded — environmental goals set for the organisation in 2011-2012.

These included dedicated green space in 100 per cent of building projects pursued in underserved communities; ensuring that 100 per cent of plant stocks used are locally produced and adaptable (lessening water requirements); increasing the use of alternative energy on project sites; and reducing energy consumption on completed building projects.

Considering that some $1 billion in infrastructure projects have been completed since the start of the year, the targets set and reached are altogether impressive.

B Douglas Simon, president & CEO The Mender-Haus Company, LLC, in the just-concluded audit which recertified the company for the ISO 14001 certification, notes, “JSIF continues to demonstrate strong commitment and leadership in the environmental arena.

“This agency is poised to make a positive change as it relates to the environmental and social well-being of the citizens of Jamaica.”

For 2013, the doyenne of social development says she is setting the goal posts even higher — reaching out to the wider national community, and in the process also creating a template for other organisations which want to operate at international standards, to follow.

To ensure that all can have access to the JSIF example, Gillings oversaw during the last year the publication of the book, A Lesson in Introducing Change: The Journey of the Jamaica Social Fund to ISO certification.

Gillings is the pacesetter in organisational change who was recently recognised by the United Nations as among a group of Jamaicans who, in working for this body, have made a contribution to development work which is centred on international best practices.

JSIF was established as a major plank of the Government of Jamaica’s national poverty alleviation strategy. The organisation is an autonomous limited liability company. It assists the Government to identify and mobilise funding from local, regional and international lenders and donors which are then channelled to small-scale community-based socio-economic and social service projects.

“We at JSIF have historically directed resources towards infrastructure development in the most underserved communities. Now we are turning, with equal focus, to filling such needs as skills development which is what community members have been asking for,” Gillings said.

However, infrastructure remains a critical plank of community development efforts with just about J$1 billion in projects completed during the year. For this reason environmental issues also remain paramount, with JSIF seeking to reduce environmental impacts including the reduction of water consumption; introducing water conservation technologies; reducing water pollution; and reducing energy consumption, among other critical needs.