Within the REMAR regional consortium led by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Unite Caribbean leads the socio-economic and gender dimensions of the mangrove ecosystem diagnostic assessment. The organization brings expertise in stakeholder engagement, participatory governance, gender-responsive approaches, and community-based coastal resilience strategies across multiple Caribbean territories.

Unite Caribbean is responsible for the socio-economic and gender assessment across seven pilot mangrove sites located in Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. Key activities include stakeholder mapping, participatory consultations, governance analysis, community interviews, and the identification of sustainable livelihood opportunities linked to mangrove conservation and restoration.

The assignment integrates gender equality and social inclusion considerations throughout the diagnostic process, ensuring that women, youth, and other underrepresented groups are meaningfully engaged in decision-making and restoration planning. Unite Caribbean also supports conflict and risk analysis, climate resilience assessments, and the co-design of locally adapted governance frameworks and sustainable livelihood initiatives, including eco-tourism, mangrove honey production, women-led craft enterprises, and environmental education and awareness programmes.

The project will produce a comprehensive ecological, socio-economic, and governance assessment for each pilot site, providing an evidence base for future restoration and conservation interventions. Expected outcomes include stronger stakeholder engagement, enhanced understanding of mangrove ecosystem services, improved identification of climate-related vulnerabilities, and the development of more inclusive and effective governance mechanisms.

Through this work, the mission contributes to strengthening regional cooperation on mangrove restoration while promoting resilient coastal communities and sustainable natural resource management practices tailored to the unique context of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

For more information, please contact Laure Behar.