From mangrove forests to coral reefs, Grenada’s natural ecosystems are among the most vital—and most vulnerable—in the Caribbean. Over the past five years, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) and the Grenada Sustainable Development Trust Fund (GSDTF) have forged a powerful partnership to protect these fragile environments while strengthening local communities and national climate resilience.
Established with technical and financial support from the CBF, the GSDTF is Grenada’s National Conservation Trust Fund. Since 2019, it has evolved into a driving force for sustainable development, channeling more than USD 500,000 into six high-impact projects across the country. From community training to wetland restoration, these projects show how smart, sustained investments in nature can transform lives and landscapes.
Empowering Local Voices: Women Leading the Blue Economy
At the heart of Grenada’s conservation success is its people. One standout example is the St. Mark’s Women in Action, a grassroots group working to build economic opportunity through sustainable fishing practices. With a USD 10,000 grant from the GSDTF, the group launched a Fish Processing and Handling Training Programme in partnership with the Grenada National Training Agency.
The initiative trained 10 participants—seven women and three men—in hygienic, sustainable fish handling techniques, boosting food safety and reducing waste. The program culminated in a community graduation ceremony on January 24, 2025, where CBF representatives joined in celebrating a new wave of skilled professionals advancing Grenada’s blue economy. See picture:
🎬 Watch the story unfold: GSDTF YouTube Video
Restoring Nature, Reviving Communities
In 2020, GSDTF teamed up with L.V.P. Trading Inc. to breathe new life into the Morne Gazo Nature Reserve, a 64-acre ecological and cultural treasure in St. David. Once underutilized, the reserve now features refurbished forest trails, scenic lookouts, and community-led tourism services, including a locally operated restaurant.
Advancing Marine Conservation Through Science
Recognizing the importance of data-driven conservation, the GSDTF partnered with the Grenada Coral Reef Foundation to conduct a baseline assessment of Grenada’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Using the internationally recognized AGRRA (Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment) methodology, this scientific evaluation will help guide future funding decisions and strengthen the country’s marine protection network.
The effort underscores GSDTF’s commitment to ensuring that marine conservation is science-based, locally relevant, and nationally aligned.
Post-Hurricane Recovery: Nature at the Heart of Resilience
When Hurricane Beryl struck Grenada in 2024, it left behind widespread ecological and structural damages. In response, the CBF quickly mobilized USD 300,000 from its Endowment Fund, with support from Agence Française de Développement (AFD), to fund three emergency restoration projects:
- Levera Ramsar Site Recovery: This initiative will restore critical wetlands, rebuild the Levera Pond Boardwalk, and strengthen the management of one of Grenada’s most important protected areas.
- Support for Carriacou’s Sandy Island Oyster Bed MPA: The project will repair storm-related damage, restore critical habitats, and equip local conservation teams with the infrastructure needed to resume effective management.
- “Improving SIOBMPA for Effective Management to Promote Biodiversity Health for Long-Term Sustainability” This project is focused on improving how SIOBMPA is managed so it can better safeguard marine life, support local livelihoods, and thrive for future generations.
These interventions reflect how conservation finance can rapidly respond to climate-related disasters while promoting long-term resilience.
Gender Equity in Action: Climate Solutions for All
In a landmark step for inclusive conservation, the GSDTF and CBF signed a Gender Smart Facility Agreement on February 24, 2025. Backed by USD 400,000 in funding from Global Affairs Canada through the CORE (Caribbean Organizations for a Resilient Environment) project, this facility ensures that gender equality is integrated across all project stages.
From proposal design to impact measurement, the Gender Smart Facility places women, men, and gender-diverse individuals at the center of climate adaptation efforts—making Grenada’s conservation model more inclusive, just, and effective.
A Model for the Region
Five years in, the partnership between the CBF and GSDTF has become a model for how small island developing states can harness sustainable financing to build both ecological and economic resilience. By placing communities at the forefront, investing in science, and embedding equity in every step, Grenada is showing the Caribbean—and the world—what resilient conservation in action truly looks like.
