First Citizens Champions a Greener T & T
Press Release
As part of United Way Trinidad and Tobago’s Day of Caring, First Citizens delivered a twin-island effort last Sunday, May 18, 2025 as the Group’s staff stepped away from their desks to dig in at two sites where environmental change is urgently needed. In St. Augustine, Trinidad, activities included tree up-potting to support local reforestation and hands-on learning about the Vetiver System, a nature-based solution to reduce soil erosion. Meanwhile, over in Tobago, volunteers contributed to the installation of Vetiver grass around a local football field in Charlotteville, helping to stabilise the terrain while providing a natural barrier to benefit the community.
“The First Citizens Group is working on a project with IAMovement, and the project is associated with the reforestation efforts, which is so critical for all of us in the country…” said Karen Darbasie, Group CEO. “…as we all know and looking around today with the rain and the flooding that happens, all of the reforestation efforts that we can do together as a group, as a community, as a country, benefit not just individual communities, but the country as a whole.”
“The First Citizens Group is working on a project with IAMovement, and the project is associated with the reforestation efforts, which is so critical for all of us in the country…” said Karen Darbasie, Group CEO. “…as we all know and looking around today with the rain and the flooding that happens, all of the reforestation efforts that we can do together as a group, as a community, as a country, benefit not just individual communities, but the country as a whole.”
United Way TT is part of an international network of over 1800 affiliates, operating in Trinidad and Tobago for almost 25 years. Their flagship event, Day of Caring, celebrated 15 years of bringing together volunteers from private and public sector organisations to live the United Way ethos: Get Involved. Give Back. Take Action.
The Group’s involvement in Day of Caring for the 12th year saw an excellent partnership with IAMovement, a local NGO founded by young leaders, passionate about environmental stewardship. The IAMovement team coordinated both events, supplying materials, technical support, and guidance, allowing employees an opportunity to volunteer their time towards climate education and sustainable land restoration in both Trinidad and Tobago.
“At IAMovement, we are proud to partner with First Citizens for the Reforestation initiatives in St Augustine and Charlotteville as part of the United Way Day of Caring 2025,” said Kevan Kalapnath-Maharaj, Managing Director of IAMovement. “This collaboration unifies community education and empowerment through hands-on learning and engagement with nature-based solutions and reforestation activities. Together, we are building a community climate resilience in T&T.”
Through this initiative, First Citizens was proud to demonstrate its commitment to building a greener, more resilient Caribbean—one tree, one volunteer, one project at a time.
