THE People’s National Party (PNP) on Tuesday launched a crowd funding campaign to raise funds for its party.

In a release Tuesday, the PNP said it is seeking to change the way in which funds are raised for political parties in Jamaica and is looking to achieve greater participation in the party’s fortunes amongst supporters.

Party President Dr Peter Phillips, according to the release, had mandated that the initiative be designed to leverage technology and actively engage the many supporters of the PNP in Jamaica and in the diaspora, providing them with an easy way to contribute.

In the Jamaican spirit of ‘every mickle mek a muckle’, the party said the innovative fund-raising effort seeks to build on the successful examples of other political leaders and parties across the world, such as Barack Obama in his first run for the presidency of the United States.

“This came about at the same time we were planning the listening tour across Jamaica, as we sought to design new ways to engage the wider public in the democratic process. Transparent campaign financing is important to our democracy. Traditionally, only a few, very wealthy persons fund political parties in Jamaica, but we want to build a movement that puts power in the people’s hands. We are committed to building a Jamaica that works for all — and certainly a broad base in campaign financing is key to that,” Dr Phillips. is quoted as saying in the release.

The PNP said the fund-raising initiative falls under the remit of General Secretary Julian Robinson and the new treasurer, Senator Mark Golding.

Known for his legal and business acumen, Senator Golding assembled a team, led by insurance industry leader Peter Thomas and Patricia Duncan Sutherland, to design and roll out the initiative, ensuring that it is under-pinned by robust and transparent processes and procedures for effective financial management and accountability, the PNP said.

“It is timely that the PNP has designed this initiative to broaden and deepen its funding base. It is an approach rooted in our philosophical commitment to participatory democracy, to provide the resources needed by a modern, people-centred political movement. I encourage all persons who are interested in supporting in this way to visit our webpage www.pnp.org.jm so they can strengthen their party of choice,” Senator Golding said.