EU-backed training strengthens Guyana’s forest protection efforts

The Natural Resources Ministry, through the Guyana Forestry Commission, has partnered with the European Union (EU) to advance efforts aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation within the Amazon Rainforest.

The initiative is part of the Amazonia+ Programme, funded by the EU and led by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), in partnership with the Pau Costa Foundation. The programme promotes the responsible use of fire as a tool for sustainable land management while reducing the risk and impact of wildfires across the region. As part of the programme, a series of training sessions under the Community Brigades initiative (BRICOM) was conducted from April 14 to 16, 2026, in Linden, Region 10. The training brought together representatives from local communities and national agencies, including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Participants took part in practical and technical sessions focused on fire behaviour, operational readiness and strategies for managing fire in ways that support both environmental protection and community development. In a release on Sunday, the Natural Resources Ministry, said that the initiative is aimed at strengthening Guyana’s approach to sustainable forest management and climate resilience. By equipping communities and institutions with the necessary skills, the programme supports efforts to protect forest resources while maintaining livelihoods. The Ministry also said it will continue to work with international partners and local stakeholders to ensure that Guyana’s forests remain central to the country’s environmental and economic sustainability.