Multidisciplinary Landscape assessment in the Carolina resort in the district of Para, Suriname
project_1

This project will focus on promoting the sustainable management of the Carolina landscape in the district of Para and improving livelihoods and alleviating poverty, based on the potentials of the landscape and aspirations of local people.

The basis for action will be a Multidisciplinary Landscape Assessment (MLA), to which both formal and traditional researchers will contribute. The MLA outcomes will thus depend to a significant extent on the input of traditional knowledge about the project area. Special attention will be paid to the potential of traditional and indigenous co-management of nature, tourism, forestry and other yet to be identified potentials of the landscape.

The way in which the project team will work together and consult communities will be agreed in a MoU, preferably before the actual fieldwork starts. The team will be trained in MLA research techniques by CIFOR. Particular attention will be given to the multidisciplinary focus of the methodology and the methods for involving the target group in the different stages of the project. The project will provide opportunities for young professionals and students from both Suriname and abroad to conduct research.

The MoU, the MLA and the MLA reports may serve as an example for other regions that wish to pursue a similar development strategy. For the Carolina resort, the outcome of the MLA will be the baseline for further action and projects.

A key outcome of the project will be a proposal for the establishment of an Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC), which is expected to become instrumental in the exchange of ‘Western' and ‘traditional' knowledge to support these developments.

Objectives
The project should achieve the following objectives:

  1. Increase the availability of knowledge and information for policy development and decision making (including local community decision-making structures) on the status and extent of the natural resources in relation to the needs of local communities and other stakeholders
  2. Development of human capacity
  3. Raise the staff, research and/or information management capacity of research and other organizations
  4. Raise awareness of the project outcomes among stakeholders and target groups

Duration
October 2007 to August 2009

Expected outputs/results
The project deliverables are:

  • One or more student reports; an MSc student report on landscape fragmentation has already been delivered
  • A consultation protocol and MoU describing the way in which researchers and communities wish to communicate, consult, reveal interests and share results
  • A group of researchers trained in MLA approaches who could train similar groups in other regions of the country planning to conduct similar research
  • A report containing information and maps on current land use
  • A report providing baseline information on the area: socioeconomic data and data on existing natural resources
  • A report providing policy recommendations and proposals for improved land use, including draft project proposals
  • A report in which concrete actions and project are proposed for immediate follow-up
  • A project proposal for establishing an IKC in the Carolina resort
Implementing Partners
celos Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname (CELOS)

The Association of Indigenous Village Leaders in Suriname (VIDS)