Sustainable Grenadines Inc (SusGren) is a transboundary non-governmental organisation (NGO) working between the islands of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The organisation is committed to the conservation of the coastal and marine environment and sustainable livelihoods for the people of the Grenadines.
The Grenadine Islands comprise of an archipelago with over 30 islands and cays located on the Grenada Bank between the two nations St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. It is an area of ecological significance supporting the most extensive coral reefs and related habitats in the South-Eastern Caribbean. Having a high potential for tourism and associated development, the marine and terrestrial ecosystems are highly vulnerable to environmental degradation, unplanned development and unregulated use of resources which have already led to significant degradation of many areas.
In response to this SusGren has been working with NGOs to empower communities through capacity building and increased awareness of the environment so that NGOs and community groups can better play a meaningful, lasting role in the sustainable development of the region.
Since its inception, over 10 projects have been initiated with several being completed, e.g. the Water Taxi Project, the People and Corals Project and the establishment of the Sandy Island/Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area. After eight years, local NGOs are beginning to show capacity for self-sustainability and SusGren will continue to support their efforts.
In this next phase, support will be focused on project implementation, with major projects including: Strengthening Reef Management on the Grenada Bank; Developing a Framework for Multiuse Zoning Plan for the Grenadines; Caribbean Waterbird Census; Grenadines Marine Litter Management and Strengthening of Fisher Folk Collaboration in the Grenadines. The next phase of SusGren will be to pursue the idea regarding the establishment of a transboundary Grenadine Islands World Heritage Site.
SusGren will continue to focus on the realization of Goal 2 of the regional St. Georges Declaration, to ‘Incorporate the Objectives, Perspectives, Resources and Talents of All of Society in Environmental Management.’
If you would like to learn more about the organisation, partner or collaborate with SusGren click on the link below to access their contact information.
