Maldives DM2009 Finalist Seeks World Bank Help

The Maldivian Government has received a US$6.3 million grant for climate change adaptation from the European Commssion.  The grant will be administered by the World Bank.  I hope the Bank will inform the Maldivian Finance MInistry, which is handling the funds, about the adaptation work that Live & Learn/Maldives is doing to help protect this especially vulnerable island nation from the adverse affects of climate change -- principally rising sea levels.

As Country Manager of Live & Learn's environmental education operations in the Maldives, one of the 43 Least Developed Countries that have submitted National Adaptation Programs of Action to cope with climate change. I know first hand what our non-profit, non-government organization is doing.  With our expertise and community connections, we can help the Government achieve its adaptation objectives.  Live & Learn/Maldives was a DM finalist with its project to "increase the quality and quantity of local food production, using new techniques resilient to increasing groundwater salinity" caused by rising sea waters.  Innovative Gardening and Education would promote women as leaders in building a sustainable community network spreading the message of "no-till" resilient food production that combats encroaching salinity.

Effective climate adaptation in the Maldives depends on collaboration between the Government and NGOs like Live & Learn.  That isn't happening yet.   DM NGO finalists in other countries are reporting similar problems, as this blog has reported.

Aleem Walji, Innovation Practice Manager for the World Bank Institute, responding recently to concerns expressed by Bangladesh finalist Mohammad Abu Musa, told him in a comment on Mohammad's blog article: "We are...working on a range of ideas in which we can communicate with your host governments, other funders in the space, and like-minded partners who can support yiour projects and perhaps find ways to work with you."

I hope what Mr. Walji and his WBI colleagues do for DM finalists will help Live & Learn/Maldives in its attempt to collaborate with the Maldives Government on climate adaptation.