University of the West Indies – Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies

Grantees
Published Date: June 27, 2026

Project Overview

Adapting to a New Reality: Managing Responses to Influxes of Sargassum Seaweed in the Eastern Caribbean as Ecosystem Hazards and Opportunities (SargAdapt)

Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Duration36 Months

Total Project BudgetUSD 1,296,093.00

EbA Facility GrantUSD 981,393.00

Co-financingUSD 314,700.00

SargAdapt reduced the impacts of sargassum influxes and improved adaptation across the Eastern Caribbean by converting a climate-linked ecosystem hazard into opportunities for socio-economic development. The project combined demonstration activities, livelihood diversification, primary research, forecasting, knowledge exchange, and community networking to support more sustainable sargassum management and protect coastal ecosystems and livelihoods.

Key Objectives

Develop appropriate management responses that reduce damage from sargassum influxes
Strengthen the capacity of coastal communities and stakeholders to cope, adapt, and plan
Test beneficial uses of sargassum for livelihood diversification and resilience
Improve research, forecasting, knowledge sharing, and regional coordination

Ecosystem Focus

Sandy beaches, coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and other coastal and near-shore ecosystems affected by sargassum influxes.

Communities Involved

This project was implemented in the following communities and project areas:

Ten coastal communities across Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Five demonstration communities across the participating countries

Implementing Organizations

Lead Organization:
The University of the West Indies, Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (UWI-CERMES)

UWI-CERMES led the regional SargAdapt initiative, coordinating research, demonstration projects, forecasting, stakeholder networking, and the development of practical management and livelihood responses.

Project Partners