This is done via the use of the Poverty Index. The Poverty Index is constructed from socio-economic data captured in the latest national Census (2001). It is indicative of the level of deprivation of communities (measured by access to services such as water and electricity supply) and the living conditions of households within these communities (income and expenditure data, as well as the size of households).

Yes, through either the housing and educational assistance programs.

Yes, the SSDF proposal must address the needs of low income groups or communities subsequent to qualifying for any such assistance.

The sponsors are the financial organizations such as The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), The European Union (EU) , and The Government of St.Lucia (GOSL) who fund SSDF's various project initiatives.

All proposals are numerically numbered so reference would be made to that project number for an update. A project status can be checked on by visiting, calling or emailing SSDF, or via the SSDF website

No, SSDF does not loan money.

There is no limit to the number of projects offered to a community however; SSDF will normally execute one project per community at a time.

A proposal would be rejected by SSDF if they were to qualify as:

• Micro credit or loans
• Projects which involve tobacco, alcohol, other drugs or intoxicants
• Purchase of vehicles
• Purchase of land
• Direct expenditure (including renovation, rehabilitation or repair work) on private property arising from the project
• Construction of first and secondary category roads
• Assistance for the furtherance of religious or political ends
• A proposal in excess of $250,000.00
• Proposal not approved by the majority in community
• Project not sustainable.