GGGI, NAREI collaborate to address ecosystem resilience, restoration

– as Coastal Resilience, Mangrove Restoration Project pilots green-grey infrastructure

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), in collaboration with Guyana’s National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), in a bid to advance the Coastal Resilience and Mangrove Restoration Project, funded by the Korea Forest Service (KFS), held a series of activities aimed at addressing coastal ecosystem resilience and restoration.

According to the GGGI, the technical team conducted a field visit to the project site situated in the predominantly agriculture-based Dantzig community, which has previously suffered severe sea flooding and breaches, leaving sections of the shoreline highly vulnerable.
The project, GGGI noted, aims to address these challenges by piloting green-grey infrastructure, combining engineered structures with nature-based solutions to strengthen coastal resilience. This integrated solution supports mangrove ecosystem restoration, promotes sustainable livelihoods, and contributes to long-term climate adaptation.
Haskoning, Deltares, and their local partner SRKN’gineering & Associates are in the process of developing preliminary designs for the green-grey structure. During a validation workshop, the engineering team presented these designs and consulted with key stakeholders to identify the most suitable and cost-efficient green-grey solution for implementation.
By supporting Guyana’s Mangrove Management Action Plan (2022–2032) and Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, the initiative will help the country advance its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Through data-driven design and cross-sector coordination, the efforts will enhance integrated coastal zone management capacity and promote innovation and youth participation in nature-based solutions to drive green growth and climate action.
In partnership with the University of Guyana (UG), a public lecture was held to promote and build awareness of coastal protection strategies that apply science-driven approaches, integrating both nature-based and engineering solutions to strengthen resilience.
Students, researchers, and practitioners participated in the session, which explored the evolving role of green-grey infrastructure in coastal defence.
Presenters from GGGI Guyana, NAREI, Haskoning, and Conservation International Guyana highlighted scientific innovations, data-driven planning, and the importance of cultivating a new generation of professionals dedicated to resilience and environmental stewardship.

Sea flooding and breaches
The US$3M Coastal Resilience and Mangrove Restoration project seeks to improve the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities and mangrove ecosystems. It also seeks to manage systems to mitigate flooding, enhance urban resilience, and manage the mangrove ecosystem.
The area being looked at covers six miles along the coast and 500 metres outwards from the shoreline to the ocean.
Project Manager for the Coastal Resilient Project, Hangoo Lee, had pointed out last year that the long-term goal is to get an assessment report for the mangrove and develop a business model guideline for mangrove ecosystem service.
It will also upgrade Guyana’s mangrove information system for integrated mangrove data management while at the same time, providing training for a data management system.
Lee had said then that the project will be running for a decade and hopes to get the silt to build up along the foreshore, when it will be possible to start replanting mangroves there. He explained that currently mangroves cannot be planted along the Dantzig foreshore because the mud has been washed away after the 2019 & 2020 sea defence breaches.
NAREI’s Programme Coordinator, Keen Mosley, had said back then that NAREI has been working from the mangrove end to implement what is called the Green Grey Infrastructure approach, while some 500 metres of a timber breakwater were expected to be completed in 2023-2024 in Dantzig to help in what is called the grey aspect, which is focused on using conventional engineering.