SEPROD Foundation and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany have marked an important milestone in the next phase of recovery and resilience in the Hurricane Melissa-ravaged Seaford Town, Westmoreland, through the signing of two grant agreements.

Formalised at a contract-signing ceremony hosted by the German Embassy, the partnership will support two complementary projects: priority structural rehabilitation works and the installation of a solar energy system that will form the foundation of the Seaford Town Community Resilience Hub.

The projects build on the long-term recovery efforts already under way in Seaford Town following the Category 5 storm which hit Jamaica last October, shifting the focus from immediate recovery to strengthening the community’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from future challenges.

The partnership builds on the German Embassy’s long-standing commitment to Seaford Town and surrounding communities through a number of development initiatives implemented over the years with local partners.

“This partnership represents an important evolution in our work,” said Melanie Subratie, chair of Seprod Foundation.

“Recovery does not end when homes are rebuilt or businesses reopen. True resilience means investing in the infrastructure, partnerships, and community assets that allow people to withstand future shocks.

“This grant is more than an investment in infrastructure — it is an investment in the future of Seaford Town. We are honoured that the German Embassy shares our long-term vision for this community. Together with our partners we are laying the foundation for a resilience hub that we believe will continue to attract partnerships and create lasting opportunities for the people of Seaford Town,” added Subratie.

The grant-funded projects build on Seprod Foundation’s ongoing partnership with Mercy Corps to advance community resilience in Jamaica.

Mercy Corps has provided technical support and programme development for the resilience hub concept, while the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) has played a key technical role through engineering assessments and resilience hub design support.

Earlier this month, Seprod Foundation, Mercy Corps, and UTech delivered a three-day Solar for Resilience Hubs training programme, the findings of which will help inform the implementation of the projects.

“Germany has been proud to support the people of Seaford Town over a number of years through initiatives that have strengthened education, recovery, and community development. These new grants build on that long-standing partnership and represent an investment in the community’s future resilience.

“We believe resilient communities are built through sustained partnerships, and we are proud to support Seaford Town as it continues its journey from recovery to resilience,” said Jan Hendrik van Thiel, ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Jamaica.

The investments made possible through these grants will improve the building’s safety as a more resilient gathering space and will enhance the facility’s ability to function during power disruptions and emergency situations, ensuring that essential community services can continue when they are needed most.

“This grant demonstrates what is possible when international partners, local organisations, and communities work together with a shared vision,” said Byron Thompson, director of Seprod Foundation.

“Our goal is not simply to recover from Hurricane Melissa, but to help build one of Jamaica’s leading models for community resilience, beginning here in Seaford Town. By investing in infrastructure today we are creating opportunities for stronger partnerships and a more resilient future for generations to come,” added Thompson.

The grant-signing marked the beginning of a broader journey for Seaford Town, one that brings together international partners, local leadership, and community members around a shared vision for resilience.

As the community resilience hub takes shape, Seprod Foundation, Mercy Corps, UTech, the German Embassy and other partners — including Global Empowerment Mission and NCB Foundation — are laying the groundwork for continued collaboration and long-term investment in one of Jamaica’s emerging models for community resilience.