Technical Assistance for Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening of the Sea and River Defence Sector

The Coastal Plain of Guyana is a narrow strip of land stretching along 425 km between the borders of Venezuela and Suriname. Almost 90% of the country’s population and economic activity are concentrated in Guyana’s coastal zone. Large sections of this zone lie 0.5 to 1.0 m below spring tide level, being subject to flooding and erosion and are thus protect by a system of Sea Defences.

The Sea Defence sector has for many years been the beneficiary of EDF support, which continues under the 9th EDF. Technical services for capacity building and institutional strengthening are therefore required.

The technical services to be provided will address three components as following:

1. Institutional Strengthening – The activities foreseen will focus on corporate and operational management, human resources management and management systems and procedures;
2. 2.      Shore Zone Management System (SZMS) – This component will consist mainly in expanding data collection (oceanographic, topographic, geodetic, sea defence condition and meteo-hydrologic), upgrading of user interfaces, GIS mapping and integration of the SZMS into routine operations and planning functions.
3. 3.      Mangrove Pilot Project – The activities will include definition of guidelines for development of monitoring system, identification of reforestation areas and realization of workshops