Over 40 projects executed countrywide to address biodiversity conservation, climate change

Over 40 ambitious projects have been executed across Guyana, the Small Grants Programme (SGP) is to tackle major environmental issues, such as biodiversity conservation and climate change among others.
This was revealed by the Head of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) Department at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Felicia Adams Kellman on Friday during the first-ever SGP Knowledge Fair at the Regency Suites Hotel, Georgetown.
During her presentation, Kellman highlighted how community-level initiatives can help combat environmental problems.
“Today’s theme, Building Synergies for Community and Environmental Action with Global Impacts, highlights the vital role of grassroots initiatives in addressing environmental challenges. Change often starts at the community level, and each of us can influence our surroundings through local projects, sustainable practices, and educational outreaches.”

In this regard, Kellman highlighted that through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), several innovative projects were executed in various regions.
“Since launching the SGP Programme in 2013, the UNDP has executed over 40 grassroot projects in 9 of our 10 administrative regions. Notable projects include the conservation and sustainable use of more than 10,000 hectares of forests on indigenous lands, and the introduction of upland rice planting in the savannah to combat desert deforestation. A chemical waste project that promotes recycling, and sustainable agricultural projects such as the construction of vertical farms and shade houses to increase food security.”
She added that these projects are vital to Guyana’s implementation of our national trajectory as outlined in the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.
Also present was UNDP’s Country Representative for Guyana and Suriname Gerardo Noto, who highlighted the importance of countries working together to tackle global issues.
“In a world in which all problems are global, as we know, there is no way countries can handle issues by themselves. We need global responses. By building, piece by piece, from the local, national, regional, and global levels. It is upon this notion and idea of collective immediate action that the GEF (Global Environment Facility) Programme was founded”
The Country Representative revealed that recognising the various environmental benefits that can be obtained through initiatives of a similar nature whilst also supporting sustainable livelihoods.
“UNDP’s engagement in the world has proven that civil society-led initiatives can generate environmental benefits while supporting sustainable livelihoods, gender equality, and civil society empowerment. UNDP continues to assist countries in designing and implementing activities consistent with the GEF Mandate and national sustainable development plans. The environment remains essential and strategic for sustainable human development.”
Additionally, Noto reaffirmed the UNDP’s commitment towards working with stakeholders in the fight against climate change among other issues.
“Through active partnerships with the Government, civil society, academia, diplomatic corps, communities, and other stakeholders, we have committed to maintaining the momentum in the achievement of our development objectives and goals. Your participation today in sharing those achievements is our pleasure to engage all stakeholders and work together as partners for the development of the communities and people of Guyana and the protection of the environment and human rights”
The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) provides financial and technical support of up to US$50,000 to projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people’s well-being and livelihoods. In Guyana the Programme is implemented by the UNDP. This year’s Fair was celebrated under the theme “Building Synergies for Community Environmental Action with Global Impacts”