Background

The Strengthening Resilient Water Resource Management in the Eastern Caribbean (W4R) Project is designed to support vulnerable communities in the islands of Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to increase access to secure, nature-friendly water supplies and enhance ecosystem conservation for improved water resources management, both in communities and at the governance level. The project also includes a regional knowledge sharing component to enhance water management practices.

Through the support of the Government of Canada with a financial contribution of CAD 4,847,825 (USD 3.53 million), the project aims to improve water resilience in communities that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including droughts, floods, and hurricanes, with an emphasis on supporting women-led households and rural women farmers.

Additionally, community-driven initiatives will be undertaken for rainwater capture and storage; use of irrigation systems; ecosystem restoration; and soil and water quality monitoring. Hydro-meteorological data collection and use will be improved to inform adaptation planning and strengthen the targeted islands’ capacity to present proposals to access existing climate finance opportunities.

Expected Results

1.  Rainwater harvesting and storage equipment: The project will support the repair, restoration and piloting of rainwater harvesting and storage equipment in select communities in Grenada and Union Island (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), particularly for agricultural use.
    
2. Strengthening of water management systems and policies: The project will focus on providing infrastructure for a national online water information system, as well as digitizing historical water data. It will also build capacity among national stakeholders to strengthen policies and systems for water governance and monitoring.
    
3. Enhancing climate resilience and knowledge-sharing: In St. Lucia, efforts will focus on rehabilitating critical forests and biodiversity ecosystems, while in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the efforts will include the enhancement of the soil and water quality monitoring programme. Overall, the project will facilitate study tours and exchange of best practices among participating countries.

The W4R project responds to the priorities identified in the targeted countries’ national adaptation plans and water policies and will contribute to progress on Sustainable Development Goals 13 (climate action), 2 (food security) and 6 (water access).