friends of green suriname UPDATE 2017-2018

The continuous journey
to green growth for Suriname
FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018|

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 INTRODUCTION
AFTER 4 YEARS: THE CONTINUOUS
5 FOGSJOURNEY TO GREEN GROWTH
12 CURRENT FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME
13 FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME ACTIVITIES
16 HIGHLIGHTS PROJECTS IN 2017-2018 23 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
25 CI SURINAME STAFF 27 CI VALUES: STORYTELLING MANAGERS

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© CI / PHOTO BY TROND LARSENINTRODUCTIONF

our years after the establishment of Friends of Green Suriname in October 2014, we at Conservation
International Suriname (CIS) are looking forward to the continuation and evolution of our partnership withthe 17 Surinamese companies who are currently part of the program. It’s an initiative we started to involvethe local private sector in the work we do, trying to promote the idea that there doesn’t have to be a choice
between either economic development or the conservation of nature. It’s not either or. Taking care of naturemeans taking care of ourselves and our economy, and a better future for ourselves and our children. It’s amatter of understanding how to do it in the best way. And we need all the help we can get. Due to thedeteriorating financial situation in Suriname, a number of companies havewithdrawn over the last 4 years, which we find very unfortunate, but we at CIS havecontinued to recruit new companies. Last year we welcomed Staatsolie
Maatschappij Suriname N.V, GoW2 Energy Suriname and recently Gum Air N.V.
Together with all our current and future friends we will continue to invest in local
conservation projects with a direct impact on Surinamese society.

John GoedschalkExecutive Director, Conservation International Suriname
FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018

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W

e have one life to live that wasgiven to us as a gift at birth, let’s
be grateful and appreciative to thebeautiful planet we inhabit. It is nature and its
magic that keeps as alive. Be mindful of thetreasures such as water, fauna and flora,colors of nature and the wonderful soundexperienced in the forest. Listen to E.O.
Wilson. We should preserve every scrap of
biodiversity as priceless, while we learn touse it and come to understand what it means
to humanity.

Egon von Foidl
Managing Director, Courtyard
Marriott Paramaribo

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© CI / PHOTO BY ROBIN MOORE© CI / PHOTO BY FORWARD MOTIONFOGS AFTER 4 YEARS:THE CONTINUOUS JOURNEY TO GREEN GROWTH
These years have been crucial to the program of the
Friends of Green Suriname
When Conservation International Suriname evaluated the programin September 2017 and determined how together with the Friends,
we could take the program to the next level, we were deeply
inspired by the suggestion of one of our friends to create a council
of Friends of Green Suriname members to enhance their sense ofownership and commitment.
We indeed believe deeply that our Friends are not only philanthropic contributors
but also stakeholders within an emerging green growth economy in Suriname andwe need urgently to unite all forces to keep our country resilient to anthropogenic
disturbances and climate change. Deforestation rates are alarming, as is theoffshore situation on the coast of Suriname. Subsequently we opted for a new
approach, more inclusive, more impactful. ■FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018|

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FOGS IMPACT INVESTMENT FUNDBASED ON THE GREEN GROWTH STRATEGYCI Suriname believes that investment in boldinnovation, the stimulation of a healthy policy andthe development of sustainable production makes
Green Growth possible for Suriname.
Through this Green Growth strategy, available resources can be used todevelop a thriving economy while keeping nature intact for future generations.
As some of these green growth opportunities require immediate action, theFriends of Green Suriname Impact Fund enables quick action in order to makesure opportunities are not lost. Essentially the impact fund serves as seedfunding for programs to be developed with measurable activities that can
attract other donors for larger follow-up investments.
Investing in the Friends of Green Suriname Impact Investment Fund is therefore
crucial for us to tackle some of the most challenging problems in our country. ⊲6|

FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018

© CGG BY FABIANRISTIE.COM

Your contribution is not just financial support;
you contribute to social and environmental
impact as well by:• Being a part of the implementation of
innovative Green Growth models with along-term potential for economic success in
Suriname;• Being involved in new opportunities in thegreen market and greener practices thatwill give you a competitive edge andthereby boost your financial performance;• Co-financing new projects, which will give
your company a crucial role at the
beginning of innovative approaches topreserve the nature of Suriname; and• Contributing to raising public awarenessand exploring new discussions and ideas
between Surinamese society regarding
conservation challenges and actions. ■© CGG BY FABIANRISTIE.COM

FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018|

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WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO?
SCALING UP CONSERVATION INTERNATIONALSURINAME PORTFOLIO IN 2018 AND BEYOND

The Wildlife Conservation Program ensures that ourforests stay healthy by protecting the animals that live inthem and are part of the whole ecological system. Basedon this, 9 priority species have been identified which will
be focused on by CI Suriname in the coming period.

With a view to keeping Suriname the greenest
country on earth, CI Suriname works at thenational level by working together with thegovernment towards a green growth economy byidentifying and developing laws that enable this.
At the sub-national level, we work with local communities inthree identified areas: the coastal and marine area, the midregion or forest belt, and the southern part of Suriname.
Through the Friends of Green Suriname investments, projects that require aquick approach can be implemented with the participation of local companies
without going through lengthy searches for international funders. For
example, 4 programs have been set up within the Friends of Green Suriname,which we continue to develop together with Surinamese companies.
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FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018

© CI / PHOTO BY HAROLD CASTRO© CI / PHOTO BY HAROLD CASTRO

Through thenature-tourism
program, we willcontribute to theposition ofSuriname as thegreenest country
in the world. Inorder to achievethis, it is importantto carry out
feasibility studies
withincommunities withwhich CI Suriname
cooperates inorder to identify
areas that canfunction as tourist
attractions.
© CI / PHOTO BY KYLE OBERMANNFRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018|

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The Community Fisheries Improvement
Project's main goal is to facilitate thetransition from overfished or collapsed
fisheries to sustainable ecological fisheries
that are both profitable and socially just. That
is why we are working together with theCommewijne & Paramaribo Fishers
Collective and the Ministry of LVV by
mapping out the master plan with further
research, capacity building of the coast
guards and equipping the craft vessels withtracking systems.

© CI / PHOTO BY CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL SURINAME

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The development of non-timber forest products (NTFPs)
in Suriname enables indigenous communities in the south toparticipate in sustainable livelihood activities in order tomaintain the 7.2 million hectares of forest they live in.
CI Suriname has made the commitment to support their| FRIENDS OF decision
GREEN SURINAME
UPDATE2017 - 2018 the effective conservation of this forest.
andenable© CI / PHOTO BY CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL SURINAME

Project Onze Natuur op 1 (Pono 1)
In order for our conservation programs to function well, CI Suriname has submitted de draft legislation ‘Sustainable
Nature Management Act’ to the National Assembly in August 2018. The passing of this law will unleash the potentialof Green Growth for Suriname and will support sustainable development on a national level while triggering
numerous economic opportunities for Suriname.

FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018|11

Current friends of green Suriname

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FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018

FOGS & BEYOND EVENT© CI / PHOTO BY FORWARD MOTION

On November 16, 2018 the FoGS & Beyond Eventwas held at Courtyard Marriott Paramaribo. The
event was organized with the aim of presenting the
new FoGS structure to the members, including the
proposals of the FoGS council and the Young
Friends of Green Suriname. The evening was
opened by CI Communications and Development
Manager Loes Trustfull, who then gave the floor tothe host and FoGS member Egon von Foidl,
Managing Director of Courtyard Marriott Paramaribo.
© CI / PHOTO BY FORWARD MOTION© CI / PHOTO BY FORWARD MOTION

One of the goals for the evening was to get more input from the Friends for the
restructuring of the FoGS program. Guests were also given the opportunity to fill ina survey to indicate if they were interested to join the FoGS or were interested inconservation projects that CI carries out. The surveys were conducted by theYoung Friends of Green Suriname, so that they too could become acquainted with
the FoGS and could further network for their activities.
FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018|13

© CI / PHOTO BY FORWARD MOTIONINTRODUCING THE FOGS COUNCIL

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As part of restructuring the FoGS program, a council has been set up to act
as ambassadors for the four components that the FoGS program focuses on.
After consultation with the council members about the functioning of thecouncil within the program, they were presented to the other FoGS

them. Egon von Foidl, Managing Director of Courtyard
Marriott, will act as ambassador of Fisheries, Enid
Bergval, who will be a representative of both Staatsolie(NTFPs) and GoW2 (Wildlife) and the third member,members at the event. After a presentation from the Executive Director of CISuriname, John Goedschalk, he invited the members to the stage to present

Margarita van der Zwart as representative of theSurinaamse Brouwerij that will focus on Nature Tourism.

FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018

Friends of Green Suriname activities:

YOUNG FRIENDSOF GREEN SURINAME
The idea for setting up the Young Friends of Green
Suriname (YFoGS) came from Loes Trustfull, theDevelopment & Communications Manager of CI Suriname.
She strongly believes that young people should also begiven the opportunity to contribute to the future of
Suriname. The YFoGS are young Surinamese, 15-30 years
old, with a love for nature. They set an example and raiseawareness amongst their peers by emphasizing theimportance of our beautiful Surinamese forest. Currently,
the YFoGS consists of 26 members, including a 5 person
board. The Young Friends of Green Suriname Program will
mainly serve to train young ambassadors to convey thegreen message to peers, but also allow them to work
together with the Friends of Green Suriname.
© CI / PHOTO BY CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL SURINAME
FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018|15

MARINE

HIGHLIGHTS PROJECTS IN 2017 - 2018
FISHERIESC-IS conducted a Marine Stewardship Council
Plus (MSC+) pre-assessment for the artisanal
weakfish driftnet fishery in Suriname thattargets Bang Bang (Cynoscion acoupa) and
Kandratiki (C. virescens) captured by thefisheries collective Commewijne / Paramaribo
in Suriname from May 2017 to August 2017. This
pre-assessment shows the gaps of the fisheryin its current state to reach certification level.
A multi-stakeholder workshop coordinated by
CI-S, entitled "C-FIP towards the Multi-specificBang Bang and Kandratiki driftnet fishery inSuriname" took place on November 8 and 9th
2017. Participants agreed on a roadmap for thedevelopment and implementation of
a Community Fishery Improvement Project (CFIP) based on the input of the result of the preassessment of the adapted MSC + standards.

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FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018

© CI / PHOTO BY CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL SURINAME© CI / PHOTO BY CONSNALERVATION INTERNATIO

SURINAME

© CI / PHOTO BY SUNNY SEWLAL

MARINEHIGHLIGHTS PROJECTS IN 2017 - 2018

BUILDING WITH NATURE
In 2015, the Friends of Green Suriname
Program provided financial support for thestart-up of the Building With Nature
project, in which a sediment trapping unit

effective in retaining mud. After thissuccess, a second phase of the project(STU) was built that proved to be very

was started from July 2016 to May ⊲FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018|17

2017, in which another 6 STUs were built
through funds from KOSMOS Energy.
In the 3rd phase of this project, capacity

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FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018

building of the community was done,
where a workshop of 4 days wasorganized, to raise awareness and givethe public the opportunity to place theirown mangrove tree and thus contributeto the building with nature project. ■© CI / PHOTO BY SUNNY SEWLALWILDLIFEHIGHLIGHTS PROJECTS IN 2017 - 2018

NATIONAL WILDLIFE PROGRAM
Since its inception in January 2018, we focused on data
gathering (science, social, legal), training, and raisingawareness. We were able to:• Identify 9 key species for trade and hunting (legal andillegal) in Suriname.
• Execute a wildlife trade fact finding of those specificspecies, and design of a wildlife database.
• Assess laws and regulations about wildlife related issues.
• Establish a community monitoring program with the Triopeople of Alalapadu in South Suriname to monitor Brazil
nut seed dispersers (such as agouti) and assessing theimpact of hunting on larger primates.
• Contribute and article to the National Geographic andother scientific journals on Jaguar illegal trade in Suriname.
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© CI / PHOTO BY CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL SURINAME

On March 1, 2018, Suriname signed adeclaration together with 14 othercountries to protect the jaguar and the20|

FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018

communities to which they belong. And on
October 30, 2018 a Jaguar conservation
workshop was organized with regard toorganized and non-organized actors/
individuals led by religious leaders andenvironmental organizations. ■HIGHLIGHTS PROJECTS IN 2017 - 2018

NTFP’S: DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

TUHKA OIL PRODUCTION FACILITY
In 2017, partly thanks to donations
from the Friends of Green
Suriname, the community of
Alalapadu set up the community
enterprise Stichting Tuhka for the
production and sale of Brazil nut
oil and the introduction andimplementation of a conservationagreement to guarantee thesustainability of the activities
related to the production of Brazil
nut oil in collaboration with
Conservation International
Suriname. They were trained to
run the newly set up enterpriseand perform such processes asprocessing oil from Brazilnuts.

FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018|21

LOCAL BRAZIL NUT OIL PRODUCTION AND MARKET GROWSIn March2018, the community of Alalapadu
started the commercial production of Brazil nut(Tuhka) oil, with the first 36 liters being delivered
to Jomi Cosmetics. On August 11, 2018, theofficial sales launch of the Tuhka oil took placein all 7 Dio Pharmacies, the largest pharmacy
chain in Suriname. With the revenues of the oil
sales, Stichting Tuhka, Alalapadu’s community
foundation, was able to buy their first hydraulicnut press in September 2018 which will enable
them to produce more oil, more efficiently.

© CI / PHOTO BY CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL SURINAME
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By the end of November 2018, Stichting
Tuhka was able to produce a total of 1501
liters in 9 months. Through the set-up of theTuhka oil facility, 43 people were employed.
On Monday March 4, 2019, HEM Suriname(a major distributor in Suriname) has signed
a delivery agreement with Stichting Tuhka
to buy Tuhka oil and distribute to different
stores, pharmacies, etc. in Suriname.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
As part of the new paradigm of Friends of Green Suriname
Impact fund based on the green growth strategy, the goal wasto raise $200,000 for 3 years. As of March 2019, a total of$224, 473 has been committed by our current 17 friends. The
goal is to reach $250,000 during the upcoming financial year.

July 2017 - June 2018

INCOMETOTAL RECEIVED:

US$68,317.00

Financial reporting
fiscal year 2018
Between the period ofJuly 2017 – June 2018, we
have received a total of $68,317 from the Friends ofGreen Suriname Programin kind and financial
donations. The illustrationon the next page shows
the total income andexpenditure for the fiscal
year 2018.

© CGG BY FABIANRISTIE.COM

FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018|23

July 2017 - June 2018

OUTPUT
FINANCIAL INPUT:

US$47,817.00

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OUTPUT

1 STU maintenance at Weg naar Zee

OUTPUT

2 Community engagement sessions held

OUTPUT

1 Multi-stakeholder workshop

OUTPUT

1 Value chain analysis

FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018

OUTPUT

1 Wildlife database

OUTPUT

1 Monitoring program in Alalapadu

OUTPUT

1 Conference on jaguar illegal trade© CGG BY FABIANRISTIE.COM

OUTPUT

1 Tuhka oil production facility

FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018

© CI / PHOTO BY CONSERVATION|

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INTRODUCING...

TEAM CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL SURINAME
Conservation International Suriname has been able to expand its portfolio in terms of projects
and has grown to become an organization of 20 team members.

As a project organization, we work primarily in multidisciplinary teams.
Per project there is a project leader who is supported by colleagues
depending on the type of project.

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1

10

7

Executive
Director

Technical
Team

OperationsTeam

FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 20182

Development &Communications
TeamCI VALUES: STORYTELLING MANAGERS.
2018 has pushed us past our comfort zone! It was a year thatdemanded courage from each and every team member. It
took courage to see challenges as opportunities for
empowering others and to move forward. It demanded
courage to uphold the clarity of our strategy through the
unknowns and uncertainties in the conservation context in
Suriname. It called on all of our courage to celebrate the wins
and our improvements this year, while the team itself was
the greatest and sometimes only cheerleader. It tookcourage from all of us to embrace the peculiarities of one
another and to use them as energy for living out our
mission. I’m happy to be part of this courageous team.

.
As an integral part of the organization, our Operations team has
focused on achieving the highest international standards incomplying with CI Global policies, while at the same time
improving efficiency and nourishing team spirit with integrity. Thusfar, we have been able to achieve improvements in all areas ofoperations ranging from upgrading the safety and security of the
facilities from which we work, to working more closely with thetechnical and communications teams and fostering a morecollaborative and inclusive work environment. Through integrity, we
will continue to enable our colleagues to meet project and donor
objectives in a transparent and constructive way.

People with great passion can make theimpossible happen. Passion is a value that comesnaturally in our line of work. The passion our teamhas for nature, for wildlife, and for the wellbeing of
the communities that we work with isinexhaustible. It is passion that make us get out of
bed every morning and work long and very busy
hours, both within and outside of normal working
hours. Without passion one could not keep up with thispace and the constant new challenges and needs inconservation. Passion is energy, and that's what ourteam has, day in day out to fight for a better world.

This past year we have seen that teamwork
was important as never before. The last few
years it has been hard to find funds for all thework that needs to be done in our country tokeep our nature healthy. Our team came
together and worked hard to write good
proposals where everyone's contribution helped
to get them approved. The team spirit was also
very important, because it gave individuals that
faced many challenges wings to successfully
cope with difficult situations.
FRIENDS OF GREEN SURINAME UPDATE 2017 - 2018|27

CI VALUES: STORYTELLING MANAGERS
Is it foolish to be optimistic about
our environment and its future prospects?
Well, if you look at science about what is happening on earth andyou aren’t pessimistic, you don’t understand the data. But if you
meet the people who are working to restore this earth and thelives of the most vulnerable among us, and you aren’t optimistic,
you haven’t got a pulse. Rather than seeing the situation we are inas an insurmountable problem, see it, instead, as a challenge.
We must realize that if we want to leave Earthhabitable for future generations, now is not thetime to shirk our responsibilities, but to act.
.

CI Suriname entered its One Thousand Day
plan around mid-2017, a strategic plan with
ambitious goals. There are one thousand days for
CI Suriname to make an impact, because that wasthen the amount of days left to the national election year
2020. The period in which we had to make maximum use of
the relationships we had established with Government and policy makers.
One thousand days ahead of us to help prepare Government for the Paris
Agreement that will come into force in 2020 and to achieve the Biodiversity
Goals (Aichi targets). The last 365 days have been entered. Our team, known for
its teamwork, passion, integrity, respect, courage and optimism, is continuing tocontribute to the sustainable management of Suriname’s natural capital. The One
Thousand Day plan is giving direction in our search for funds. With your contribution
you have helped us to realize this strategic plan. Significant milestones have beenachieved as can be read in this report. I thank you for your support and count on
your continued contribution.
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For more information:
Conservation International Suriname
Kromme Elleboogstraat #20
Paramaribo | Suriname+597 421305
ci-suriname@conservation.org
www.conservation.org/global/suriname
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BACK COVER: © CI / PHOTO BY CRISTINA MITTERMEIERFRONT COVER: © CI / PHOTO RUSSELL MITTERMEIER