Locations
When it comes to water resources, the general perception both among the public and policymakers is that Suriname has an abundance of water available to meet human needs, but in the context of climate change, this could change more quickly than expected. Problems related to water management have negative consequences for the water security of all districts in the country.
Objectives:
Suriname is a country highly vulnerable to climate change. Some main effects include sea level rise and increased storm surges leading to coastal erosion and flooding, combined with decreased rainfall leading to lower river discharge and saltwater intrusion. The combination of the climate-related hazards is having increasingly adverse effects on coastal ecosystems and communities, including economic consequences.
When it comes to water resources, the general perception both among the public and policymakers is that Suriname has an abundance of water available to meet human needs, but in the context of climate change, this could change more quickly than expected. Problems related to water management have negative consequences for the water security of all districts in the country.
It is therefore vital to improve the country’s capacity for adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change. In response to this challenge, Suriname entered a partnership with the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA+), which is an initiative of the European Union (EU) aimed at strengthening vulnerable countries in their efforts to increase capacity to address the effects of climate change. The funded GCCA+ Phase 1 project was carried out in Suriname from 2016-2019. The focus of this project was on the performance of the national meteorological service, on hydrological modeling as a basis for sustainable water resources management at the country level, and research on Climate Change adaptation in the agricultural sector.
The overall objective of this 2nd GCCA+ project in Suriname has two specific objectives/outcomes: Increased resilience of coastal ecosystems and communities in the Nickerie and Coronie districts through gender responsive climate actions & Improved national governance in the areas of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).
Clear positive impacts have been generated by the Project in phase 1. They refer to national and ministerial climate policies and objectives, as well as to local economic and social activities, and to ecological elements (water, soil, forests, mangroves).
The current ‘GCCA+ project for Climate Change Adaptation in Suriname – Phase 2’, supports Suriname towards inclusive and sustainable solutions to address the main effects of Climate Change
Partnerships
| Stakeholder | Role in this project |
|---|---|
| National Government Agencies and Parastatal Institutions | |
| Ministry of Finance | National Authorizing Officer (NAO) for EU grant; member of Project Steering Board |
| Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment | Chair of the Project Steering Board |
| Ministry of Natural Resources | Responsible for coordination and strengthening of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM); member of Project Steering Board |
| Ministry of Public Works: Hydraulic Research Division (WLA) |
Partner for hydrological monitoring and research |
| Ministry of Public Works: Meteorological Service of Suriname (MDS) |
Partner for meteorological monitoring and research |
| Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management | Responsible for regulatory framework for MUMA management; local unit of NB in Nickerie/Coronie responsible for patrolling in MUMAs; educational unit; member of Project Steering Board |
| Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control | Coordinate and implement mangrove biodiversity monitoring |
| District Commissions for Nickerie and Coronie | Member of District Level Committee, guide, and support actions in Nickerie and Coronie |
| International donor | |
| European Union (EU) | Providing European climate finance through the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA+) initiative Donor, monitoring progress/auditing, member of Project Steering Board |
GCCA+ Phase 2 Project increased resilience of coastal ecosystems and communities in the Nickerie and Coronie districts through gender responsive climate actions.
The Project Steering Board
The Project Steering Board (PSB) has a critical role in project monitoring and evaluations by quality assuring these
processes and products, and using evaluations for performance improvement, accountability, and learning. The PSB is also in charge of ensuring that required resources were committed and arbitrates on any conflicts within the project or negotiates a solution to any problems with external bodies.
Project Steering board members:
- UNDP Country Office Suriname
- EU Delegation for Suriname
- Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment
- Ministry of Finance (National Authorizing Officer for EU grant)
- Ministry of Natural Resources
- Minister of Land Policy and Forest Management
Through the use of a multi-disciplinary and integrated approach, the project also aims to contribute to the achievement of SDGs 6, 8, 11, 13, 15,17.
Achievements during the first year of the 2nd phase of the project are:
- Vehicles have been purchased for the Nature Conservation Division of the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management, to increase patrolling activities for management of Coastal Multi Use Management Areas as to better manage and protect Suriname’s mangrove ecosystems.
- New hydrometeorological monitoring equipment has been purchased, to increase the capacity for Climate Data collection, for the Ministry of Public works. The Hydraulic Research Division (WLA) and the Meteorological Service Suriname (MDS) will be able to provide timely warnings of climate hazards and disaster risks; reliably predict water discharges for water resource management; provide support to other sectors; and effectively manage weather-, water- and climate-related risk assessments.
- Vehicles have been purchased for the Ministry of Public works, the Hydraulic Research Division (WLA) and the Meteorological Service Suriname (MDS) to ensure maintenance and monitoring of installed equipment
- Office equipment and supplies have been purchased for the Planning Unit at the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Nature Conservation Division of the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management, to provide the project with data.
- Assessment Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) exercise was completed for Bigi Pan Multi-Use Management Area (MUMA) and North Coronie MUMA.
- Capacity building activities have been organized: Refresher Course with the Staff of the Nature Conservation Division on the METT Tracking Tool for improved management of Protected areas focusing on the MUMA’s of the Districts of Coronie and Nickerie.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), essential products and materials for cleaning and sanitation, have been provided to 6 departments of 4 partner Ministries of the project, the District Commissioner’s offices, and vulnerable groups in the Districts of Nickerie and Coronie, to mitigate the risks of spreading of the Corona virus.
- A call for concept notes has been issued for European Union / United Nations Development Programme projects, to support the country in adapting to the main effects of climate change by improving management of water resources and coastal ecosystems in ways that increase the well-being of coastal communities through gender responsive capacity enhancement. As a result of this call, 6 projects have been approved by the Project Steering Board. Three (3) of the approved projects have been signed in January 2022.
Through the use of a multi-disciplinary and integrated approach, the project also aims to contribute to the achievement of SDGs 6, 8, 11, 13, 15,17.
