Integrated community-based water and land management : experiences from the Caribbean

Abstract

The Caribbean Small Islands Developing States grapple with diverse challenges, encompassing high debt, unemployment, marine pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The "Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States" (IWEco) project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to address these urgent challenges. IWEco focuses on projects across ten Caribbean countries, positively impacting local and national development, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as gender equality, water and sanitation access, economic growth, tree planting, and coastal area management. This publication highlights the achievements and lessons learned from 59 community-based projects implemented by the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP). The publication emphasizes the significance of local communities and integrated ridge-to-reef programming.