EU Signs EUR 4 Million Grant Agreement for Mangrove Protection in Maldives

The European Union signed an agreement today to provide the Maldives with a EUR 4 million grant for the “Community-based Mangrove Protection and Regeneration in the Maldives” project.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the project aims to strengthen climate resilience and support environmental conservation efforts across the country through community-based initiatives focused on mangrove protection and regeneration.

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The ministry said the funding would support the role mangroves play in biodiversity conservation, coastal protection and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony held this morning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheryna Abdul Samad signed the agreement on behalf of the Maldives, while Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to the Maldives, Dr Johann Hesse, formally handed over the signed agreement on behalf of European Union Ambassador to the Maldives Maria Carmen Moreno Raymundo.

Following the signing, Sheryna thanked the European Union for its continued support to the Maldives, particularly in the areas of climate action and environmental protection.

She said the European Union had remained an important development partner to the Maldives across multiple sectors and expressed appreciation for its support in advancing the country’s climate priorities and environmental initiatives.

Support for Climate Commitments

According to the agreement, the funding will contribute to the implementation of the Maldives’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) 3.0 under the Paris Agreement by strengthening nature-based climate resilience and community-led adaptation in coastal areas.

Dr Hesse highlighted the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems through community participation and stronger policy frameworks.

He said mangroves play a critical role in coastal protection, biodiversity conservation and carbon storage, adding that the programme would support communities and authorities in combining grassroots action with improved legislation and planning.

Community-Based Conservation Efforts

The initiative is expected to strengthen local capacity for sustainable environmental management while increasing community participation in protecting vulnerable ecosystems across the Maldives.

The ministry said the project also reflects the continued partnership between the Maldives and the European Union in advancing sustainable development goals and translating climate commitments into practical action.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives from the Delegation of the European Union to the Maldives attended the signing ceremony.