SUSTAINABLE
FOREST
LIVELIHOODS
for communities
in Guyana and Suriname

The 'Sustainable Forest Livelihoods (SFL) for Communities in Guyana and Suriname' project aims to maintain healthy forests and natural resources in these ecologically rich countries. To achieve this, the project will contribute to strengthening institutional governance capacity (specifically in Suriname) and local community capacity development on forest resources and enhance sustainable nature and forest-based livelihoods for communities.

 

FUNDING: €10 MILLION

DURATION: 2023-2027

The project aims to support local authorities and communities in Guyana and Suriname in the governance of territories, the development of sustainable and equitable income-generating activities, as well as in the establishment of sustainable financial mechanisms.The SFL project will take an integrated and sustainable approach to landscape management and livelihood development, ensuring better conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
 

APPROACH

The SFL project will take an integrated and sustainable approach to landscape management and livelihood development, ensuring better conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

The intervention will focus on:

  1. Strengthening the Indigenous and Local Communities’ capacity to implement a solid framework for integrated landscape management and natural resource management.

  2. Developing sustainable livelihoods based on cultural and traditional knowledge and sustainable landscape use.

  3. Developing sustainable financial mechanisms for forest conservation.

TARGETS AND BENEFICIARIES

PRIMARY TARGET GROUP—The initiative’s primary target group is rural women, men, and youth from indigenous, tribal, and local communities in regions 2, 9, and 10 in Guyana and District Para and the Upper Suriname Watershed (Boven-Suriname) in Suriname.

SECONDARY TARGET GROUP—The secondary target group includes state institutions, regulatory agencies, local government organs, service providers, civil society organisations, training institutions, private sector actors, and consumers.
 

PROJECT AREAS

© Kemptorne Daly / WWF-Guianas


PROJECT FUNDING

The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.
 


 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION 
Agence Française de Développement (AFD) implements France’s policy on international development and solidarity. Through its financing of NGOs and the public sector, as well as its research and publications, AFD supports and accelerates transitions towards a fairer, more resilient world. It also provides training in sustainable development (at AFD Campus) and other awareness-raising activities in France.


PROJECT EXECUTION
WWF is an independent conservation organization, with over 30 million followers and a global network active in nearly 100 countries. The mission of WWF Guianas is: Together with the people of Suriname and Guyana we conserve their natural heritage for their human wellbeing for now and generations to come.

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The Amazon rainforest accounts for about 10% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity, 20% of the world's freshwater supply and 10% of the world's carbon reserves. It is also home to many indigenous peoples, with their languages and customs, over vast areas.


The Guiana Shield, targeted by the project, has much intact forest cover. The forest covers about 90% of the surface of Guyana and Suriname. However, the area is environmentally, socially and culturally challenged. It is under pressure from illegal logging and increasing extractive projects (especially gold mining). Timber harvesting is a primary source of carbon emissions, and forest roads, often over long distances in previously pristine areas, are used as entry points by hunters, poachers and gold miners.

2024

FEBRUARY

JANUARY

  

Installation of the Suriname Steering Committee

The Suriname Steering Committee of the European Union (EU) funded Sustainable Forest Livelihoods (SFL) project has been officially installed on February 19th 2024. 

Installation of the Guyana Steering Committee

The Guyana Steering Committee of the European Union (EU) funded Sustainable Forest Livelihoods (SFL) project has been officially established today, January 25, 2024. 

 

 
  


2023

   

MAY

APRIL

MARCH

 

SFL Stakeholders in Discussion Suriname 

'Super ambitious!' These are the words used by EU Ambassador for Guyana and Suriname, René van Nes, to describe the project 'Sustainable Forest Livelihoods for Communities of Suriname and Guyana' (SFL).

 Engagement with various ministries in Suriname

WWF-Guiana Director David Singh and the team held discussions with both Minister Steven Mac Andrew from Ministerie van Grondbeleid en Bosbeheer and Minister Dinotha Vorswijk from Ministerie van Arbeid Werkgelegenheid & Jeugdzaken about the start of the first phase of the project.

Formal launch of the SFL project 

The ‘Sustainable Forest Livelihoods for the Communities of Guyana and Suriname’ project was launched today. The EU-funded initiative was developed in partnership with the Agence française de Développement – AFD and WWF-Guianas.

 
 


FEBRUARY

   

WWF Guianas implementing partner for EU/AFD project

 Sustainably improving the lives of the 'guardians' of the forest is an important condition for preserving the Amazon rainforest.  WWF Guianas is largely responsible for the implementation of the SFL project in Guyana and Suriname'.

 

  

 		   

Contact the SFL Team

Jerry R. A-Kum
Programme Coordinator
Send an email | Call: 597 422 357 ext. 121

Sara Henry
Assistant Programme Coordinator
Send an email | Call: 592 223 7801 ext. 202

© Casper Douma