About the Project

The Global Water Partnership Caribbean ( GWP-C ) was formally launched in 2004 and it is a Regional Water Partnership of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) Organisation. GWP-C endeavours to support Caribbean countries in the sustainable management of their water resources by promoting integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the region. For more information, please visit: www.gwp-caribbean.org. The University of Guyana (UG) became a GWP-C Partner organisation in 2010.

On the 17th August 2021, a Small-scale Grant Agreement was signed between GWP-C and the UG subsequent to the development and submission of a Concept Note by Dr. Paulette Bynoe, in collaboration with Ms. Denise Simmons.   The objectives of the Small-scale Grant Agreement are as follows:

  • To work with the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Science (FEES) Eco-Trust Society and the University of Guyana Geographical Society through a brainstorming session on IWRM issues in Guyana; 
  • To purchase water sampling kits to conduct water monitoring in their communities and upload the results to a Platform for Youth and Water Resource Management which shall be placed under FEES; and
  • To establish a website for the Platform.

Importance of Youth in Water Resources Management

Agenda 21, the Blueprint on Sustainable Development, encourages governments across the globe to involve youth in project identification, design, implementation and follow-up. Unarguably, the involvement of young people is vital in building a water-secure world. Notably, there are approximately 1.8 billion people between the ages 10 and 24, most of whom reside in the developing world and comprise a significant proportion of the population (www.unfpa.org); for example, in Guyana, youth account for 19.83 per cent of the country's population (Guyana Statistical Bureau, 2012 Census Data). Young people are energetic, creative, innovative and undoubtedly agents of change. This "Youth in Water Resource Management" project provides an opportunity for young people in the University of Guyana Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences (FEES) to participate meaningfully in water quality monitoring and public awareness.