Contestants of the Miss SVG 2022 pageant are hoping to effect lasting change in their respective communities through eight individual projects that will be executed across St Vincent and the Grenadines. (SVG).

The GECCU Miss SVG Community Service Project was officially launched yesterday with a ceremony at the Foreign Affairs conference room under the theme “EmpowHER, EngendHER, Community Development”.

The project is an added element to this year’s national beauty pageant as the Beauty Shows Committee continues its thrust to lift the profile of the Miss SVG title beyond that of being “a figure head”.

“In 2022, the involvement of beauty queens on a local, regional and international level transcends beyond an appearance at an event. Her involvement in key areas of society help to raise light to social causes and aid in community development. This work however must start before a crown and it cannot be done alone,” Aviar Charles, chairperson of the Beauty Shows Committee said at yesterday’s launch.

She noted that the GECCU Miss SVG Community Service Project is the first of its kind in relation to the depth of work, engagement and outcomes that will be required from the projects each contestant must implement.

Charles added that the theme is a reflection of the project’s four main objectives which are to: engender a spirit of volunteerism and outreach that will help to build stronger communities; motivate people to work for the betterment of humanity; awaken the consciousness of contestants and persons in the community of the projects that can be completed to uplift communities; and make people aware of the various problems in the community.

The Beauty Shows Committee expressed hope that the objectives will be met through the implementation of all eight projects and that the projects will motivate continuity in the communities that they touch.

Title sponsor GECCU will make $1000 available to each delegate to execute a project surrounding a particular topic in each of their communities.

Each contestant randomly chose the focus of their community project which include education development; sports involvement; promoting safety and reducing crime; entrepreneurship development; advocacy for the differently abled; health awareness/ health promotion; community beautification and geriatric care.

According to Tamira Browne, the project coordinator, projects should be executed over a one-week period in September 2022 and should impact at least 50 persons from the selected communities.

The contestants are also required to produce a professional video no shorter than three minutes, which captures the essence of their project.

Rohan Stowe, chief executive officer of GECCU said that the financial institution has “remained committed and resolute in helping our members to deal with shocks that affect them”.

“We have always been on the cusp of change and pushing the boundaries to create transformative projects, transformative ideas that could improve the lives of our members and communities in which they reside…” Stowe said of the financial institution.

He added that the Miss SVG Community Service Project is one that will have significant impact in the communities in which they will be implemented and offer national solution to social issues that people battle with on a daily basis.

The community service project is a judged activity and will contribute to each contestant’s final pageant score.

Judging will cover several criteria: completion of project proposal, presentation of community project using social media and mass media, community involvement, execution and impact of the project and the summary video.

Keisal Peters, the Minister of Foreign Affairs designate also spoke at yesterday’s ceremony and she used the opportunity to highlight the importance of volunteerism.

Peters, who served as a member of the Red Cross Society and the SVG Girl Guide Association, said community service is a cornerstone of professional and personal development.

“Community service helps to build you as a person and I encourage you to embrace this opportunity to build yourselves personally and professionally,” she told contestants.

She also commended the work of the Carnival Development Corporation, Beauty Shows Committee and the GECCU for providing a platform from which the young ladies are able to effect change.