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EU Grants €337,562 to Combat Sargassum in the Caribbean through Innovative Educational Initiatives



In a significant move to address the pervasive issue of Sargassum in the Caribbean, the School for Field Studies (SFS), in collaboration with Marine Conservation without Borders (MCB) and Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA), has launched the project titled "Novel Educational Tools to Foster Local Ecosystem Sustainability Practices."


This pioneering initiative, backed by a €337,562 (US$355,406) grant from the European Union's Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) programme, aims to enhance access to ecosystem education resources across the region.


The 14-month project introduces a dynamic strategy to tackle the challenges posed by Sargassum, a genus of large brown seaweed that floats in island-like masses, affecting marine ecosystems. The initiative focuses on creating multilingual educational materials through a podcast and an online 'Sargassum Champions Course.' Additionally, a multilingual biocultural curriculum on local marine ecosystems for primary and secondary school students will be developed.


The project's digital tools aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ecological impacts of Sargassum, raising awareness about climate change challenges and opportunities for new business solutions. The podcast, accessible on four social media channels, features over 64 interviews with Sargassum stakeholders, offering valuable insights into the issues and potential solutions.


Supported by the EU grant, the project is expected to benefit approximately 2,450 individuals, including adults and students, from Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and the wider Caribbean. The Sargassum podcast, enabled by this funding, plans to continue for an additional 20 episodes, featuring more voices from the OCTs.


The first online Sargassum course, held from August 11 to September 6, 2023, witnessed the participation of over 20 local residents from OCTs. Participants gained insights into Sargassum beaching events, removal methods, and potential byproducts. Interactions with experts and stakeholders from various Caribbean Islands equipped them to become Sargassum champions, sharing their knowledge within their local communities.


This innovative project not only addresses the immediate challenges posed by Sargassum but also contributes to fostering sustainable practices and awareness about the broader impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems in the Caribbean.

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