SUSTAINABLE
FOREST
LIVELIHOODS
for communities
in Guyana and Suriname
© SFL

The 'Sustainable Forest Livelihoods (SFL) for Communities in Guyana and Suriname' programme has the objective of maintaining 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) for effective forest monitoring and management and strengthen 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. Reinforced institutional governance for effective forest monitoring and management at the national level in Suriname 
     
  2. Strengthened sustainable local community governance in Guyana and Suriname 
     
  3. Enhanced sustainable nature- and forest-based livelihood opportunities for communities in Guyana and Suriname 

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


2024 Highlights

January

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. 

February

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

March

Krutu's with Saamaka communities

The SFL team went to the Boven-Suriname region to have krutus (meetings) with Saamaka communities and learn about their needs for further development. The SFL team informed the community members about the project and listened to their concerns about development constraints.

April

Para East stakeholders engaged 

The WWF-SFL Team met with village leaders of Para East, private sector representatives, and other stakeholders. The primary objective of this meeting was to establish common ground and determine a plan for the development of Para East. 

June

Monitoring Mission in Guyana


The AFD conducted a monitoring mission, where meetings were held with the EU, Guyana Forestry Commission, the project consultants, and the WWF SFL project team to assess the overall status and discuss the work plans and approach for the project’s implementation phase.

June

Monitoring Mission in Upper Suriname 


The Monitoring Mission was conducted by representatives of WWF-Guianas, the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control (SBB) and Tropenbos Suriname, Quentin Lajus of AFD. The goal was to gain a better understanding of this project area in order to concretize the work plan. 

September

GFC  Contract Signing

The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the World Wildlife Fund-Guianas today announced a landmark agreement with the signing of a GYD 118-million-dollar contract for a project, ‘Promoting Economically Viable and Sustainable Forestry Livelihoods in Regions 2 and 10’.

October

Second Steering Committee Meeting Suriname

On October 25 2024, the steering committee of the Sustainable Forest Livelihoods for Communities in Guyana and Suriname programme, funded by the European Union in partnership with AFD (Agence Française de Développement) and executed by WWF-Guianas and SBB, convened for its second meeting in Suriname. Committee members received updates and had the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

November

Second Steering Committee Meeting Guyana

On November 7, 2024, the Steering Committee of the Sustainable Forest Livelihoods for Communities in Guyana and Suriname programme (SFL), convened for its second meeting in Guyana.


2023 Highlights

May

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).

April

Engagement with various ministries in Suriname

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

March

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'.


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 active in nearly 100 countries. Working with many others – from individuals and communities to business and government – WWF urgently seeks to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable. The mission of WWF-Guianas is to conserve the natural heritage of Suriname and Guyana for the human well-being of current and future generations.

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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.

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