CORAL SPRING, Trelawny — Three decades after it was established to help tackle poverty and social deprivation in vulnerable communities across the country, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) is doubling down on rural resilience, public safety, environment, and human capital development as it enters its fourth decade.

Managing Director Omar Sweeney said JSIF will continue directing resources towards underserved communities while broadening its contribution to agriculture, community tourism, climate resilience, and other areas critical to national development. “We intend to continue with that focus on rural livelihoods and resilience, as well as citizen security, training, and human capital development.

These are some of the areas that we believe will continue to grow Jamaica from strength to strength,” Sweeney said.

He was speaking with the Jamaica Observer by phone after Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness launched JSIF’s 30th anniversary celebrations.

This came during the 20th staging of Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2026 at Ocean Coral Spring in Trelawny last Sunday. CWA 2026, held under the theme ‘The New Face of Caribbean Food Systems’, ran from September 27 to October 2. Holness unveiled JSIF’s colourful 30th anniversary logo at its hospitality booth during a tour of the exhibits after the opening ceremony.

The JSIF booth featured several produce and products by JSIFRural Economic Development Initiative II (REDI II) beneficiaries across the island. JSIF will be planning a series of year-long celebrations, from October 2026 to October 2027, including a thanksgiving service on Sunday, October 25 at the University Chapel (Mona).

For the last three decades, JSIF has invested heavily in major infrastructure developments, with education emerging as one of its largest areas of intervention. “We literally built and rehabilitated hundreds of early childhood and primary institutions,” Sweeney said.

He also highlighted the construction of 95 greenhouse structures across Jamaica, as well as the rehabilitation of the Old Fort Bay craft market in Montego Bay, St James, as examples of its current investments under the REDI II projects.

Sweeney said JSIF has managed resources of approximately US$100 million over the past three decades, with approximately 40 per cent directed towards education. According to the managing director, JSIF’s future plans will build on that foundation while responding to the changing needs of communities, particularly those vulnerable to economic and environmental shocks.

The entity, he said, also intends to maintain its role as a trusted and leading project management organisation for the Government of Jamaica. Sweeney credited the continued support of the Government and its international funding partners for helping JSIF sustain its mandate.

“Considering the strong support we have from the Government and our partners, we expect to stay true to that cause,” he said. Sweeney also welcomed the prime minister’s involvement in officially launching the 30th anniversary logo, noting that JSIF falls under the Office of the Prime Minister.