THE Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) says more than $10 million has been spent to implement 1,600 projects in four parishes under the European Union (EU)- funded Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP). Approximately 1.6 million Jamaicans from 544 communities have, to date, benefited under the programme which has been channelled through engagements undertaken in education, transportation, health, security, environment, agriculture, and tourism in Kingston, St Andrew, St Catherine, and St James, said JSIF. Its implementation also supports the Planning Institute of Jamaica's implementation of the Government's Community Renewal Programme, which focuses on delivering a range of infrastructure and human development projects in these parishes. Speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank at the agency's head office in Kingston, JSIF's Managing Director Omar Sweeney said the PRP interventions contribute directly to the Administration's achievement of local and international development targets. He said locally, JSIF is helping to attain the outcomes of the country's long-term National Development Plan, Vision 2030 Jamaica, which will position the nation to attain developed country status within 15 years and, in the process, make it the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business. These outcomes, Sweeney said, relate to the attainment of a healthy and stable population; world-class education and training; effective social protection; safety and security; strong economic infrastructure; internationally competitive industry structures; sustainable management and use of environmental and natural resources; and hazard risk reduction and adaption to climate change. The JSIF, said Sweeney, is also helping to position Jamaica internationally to meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in relation to ending poverty and hunger; attaining universal education up to the primary level; improving child and maternal health; and environmental sustainability. The JSIF head lauded residents in the beneficiary communities for their invaluable contribution to the success of projects, while noting that for most of these engagements they are expected to contribute 10 per cent of the total cost -- in cash or kind. "They contribute through discounted or free labour and arranging storage of material (among other inputs). So they do feel a part of the project because they are contributing and they take ownership. We welcome their continued support for more successful projects to come," Sweeney added. PRP programme manager in Jamaica, Dr Eleanor Henry, underscored the importance of maintaining JSIF-implemented projects, and the role of the community in that regard. "One main focus for the projects is sustainability. We need to see that once we invest in a project, 10 years later we want it to continue and benefit more than those who we have initially intended," she said. She said in 10 of projects implemented by JSIF, five representatives have been placed on maintenance training programmes, and are currently engaged in discussions with all related regulatory agencies, including the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management and the National Works Agency.