New York: Gems Keep Giving (GKG), the global gemstone industry and trade initiative that supports communities in artisanal colored gemstone mining and cutting communities, calls upon industry members and players in the colored gemstone supply chain to bring suitable projects to GKG’s attention.
“GKG is proud of its first project in Kamtonga, Kenya. In 2022, GKG completed a project to provide clean running water and solar energy to this village in an artisanal Tsavorite mining community. The Kamtonga project proves that GKG and its donors can make an enormous impact on the lives of those living and working in colored gemstone mining locations. It is changing lives in the short term and helping build a sustainable future for generations,” says Board Chair Hayley Henning.
The organization is searching for additional, suitable projects in artisanal colored gemstone mining communities. “Who else would we turn to but our industry stakeholders and insiders to find these projects?” Hayley asks. “We look within our industry to submit their funding requests for such projects and to provide us with the relevant data and contact details,” Henning notes. Funding applications can be submitted through a link on our website [https://gemskeepgiving.org/application-for-funding]. Once received, the submissions will be assessed for alignment with the goals and criteria the Board and the Gems Keep Giving Projects Committee set. These include community engagement and ongoing cooperation by all stakeholders impacted by the project. Please visit the Gems Keep Giving website for more details about the application process.
“With approximately 80% of global colored gem supplies coming from artisanal mining operations, it is in the interest of all gem industry stakeholders to support and help sustain the numerous artisanal mining communities. We wish to ensure they thrive and develop for future generations. GKG offers businesses in our industry across the supply chain an opportunity to contribute towards their well-being, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), set out by the United Nations,” Henning explains. She adds that each funding application will be considered on its merits after submission to the Gems Keep Giving website.
