The Maldives has secured EUR 4 million in grant assistance from the European Union for a community-based project aimed at protecting and regenerating mangrove ecosystems, as the country works to strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable coastal areas.
The Government of Maldives and the European Union signed the financing agreement for the project, titled “Community-based Mangrove Protection and Regeneration in the Maldives,” during a ceremony held yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of Maldives by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheryna Abdul Samad. Dr Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to the Maldives, formally handed over the signed agreement on behalf of the EU Ambassador to the Maldives, Maria Carmen Moreno Raymundo.
The project will support community-led initiatives focused on the role of mangroves in biodiversity conservation, coastal protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Ministry said the project also contributes to the implementation of the Maldives’ Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0 under the Paris Agreement by promoting nature-based climate resilience and local adaptation in coastal communities.
Following the exchange of the agreement, State Minister Sheryna thanked the European Union for its continued support to the Maldives, particularly in climate action and environmental protection.
“The European Union has long been a valued development partner to the Maldives across a broad range of sectors. We are particularly appreciative of its continued support in advancing the Maldives’ climate action priorities and strengthening our environmental protection efforts,” she said.
Dr Hesse said the survival of mangrove ecosystems depends on local participation and stronger policy frameworks.
“Mangroves protect coasts, conserve biodiversity and store carbon, but their survival depends on local engagement and strong policy frameworks. Through this programme, the EU is supporting Maldivian communities and authorities to combine grassroots action with improved laws and planning, creating lasting benefits for ecosystems and people,” he said.
Mangroves are among the most important coastal ecosystems in the Maldives, providing natural protection against erosion and storm surges while supporting biodiversity. Their conservation is also increasingly linked to climate adaptation, particularly for low-lying island communities exposed to sea level rise and coastal degradation.
The new project is expected to strengthen local capacity for sustainable environmental management and support community participation in protecting vulnerable ecosystems across the country. It also reflects continued cooperation between the Maldives and the European Union on climate action, environmental conservation and sustainable development.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to the Maldives.
