Project Description (1997) The proposed NPAS project will analyse and apply biological, socio-economic and land-use data to provide a sound basis for designing and implementing a national protected areas system (NPAS). Project activities include: preparing a NPAS strategic plan through a participatory process involving stakeholders and amerindian indigenous communities; strengthening national institutional capacity to manage the NPAS, especially training of staff; developing the necessary legisla-tive, policy and long-term financing framework to support the system; establishing and managing at least two protected areas; undertaking a public awareness campaign on conservation and protected area issues; and monitoring and evaluating project activities and outcomes. Project Description (2005) The long-term goal of the proposed Guyana Protected Areas System (GPAS) Project is to ensure effective protection and sustainable management of representative ecosystems of Guyana through a national system of protected areas which is self-sustained, transparent, decentralized and managed through partnerships. This will be achieved through the pursuit of a phased approach. The first phase GPAS project will be a process project -- pilot-based, and focused on assisting the GoG with development and initial implementation of the policy, financial, legal and institutional frameworks and knowledge base for longterm management and sustainability. This will be done on the basis of lessons learned from establishing and managing two pilot protected areas co-managed with local, primarily indigenous populations. Establishing an effective GPAS requires the long-term and gradual development of the commitment and capacity of various constituencies. Achieving these long-term objectives will require sustained technical and financial support over a period of 10-15 years. Based on the successful achievement of the objectives under this project, subsequent phases of GPAS could be undertaken to expand the national protected areas system and consolidate its management, and additional funding for these phases would be sought.

Project Details

GEF Project ID
109
Country
Guyana
Implementing Agencies
The World Bank
Approval FY
2005
Status
Cancelled
Region
Latin America and Caribbean
Executing Agencies
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
GEF Period
GEF - 1
Project Type
Full-size Project
Focal Areas
Funding Source
GEF Trust Fund

Financials

USD
Co-financing Total
9,500,000
GEF Project Grant
6,000,000

Timeline

Concept Approved
01 Mar 1997
Project Approved for Implementation
04 May 2005
Project Closed
19 May 2008
Project Cancelled
10 May 2006