In the heart of Panama, the GEF CReW+ project unfolds its story in the Guna Yala[1], indigenous territory, where the Guna people govern their coastal lands with deep-rooted traditions and a profound connection to nature. This project, however, is not just a conservation effort. It's a narrative of adaptation, collaboration, and resilience facing the Guna community as they prepare to transition from their island home of Carti Sugdupu to the mainland settlement of Isberyala.
The move from Carti Sugdupu Island, a small, water-bound locale, to Isberyala, nestled in a wooded area on the mainland, represents a monumental shift in the community's way of life. This change encompasses not only a new physical environment but also new challenges and opportunities in managing their resources, particularly water and land. The project's aim is to ease this transition while respecting and integrating the Guna worldview into every aspect of community planning and environmental management.
The crux of this effort has been the development of the "Local Guidelines for Good Practices for the New Community of Isberyala". This document is the product of extensive collaboration and reflects the Guna people's collective wisdom and historical experiences.
Through workshops engaging future residents and local authorities, the guidelines were meticulously crafted to resonate with the community's vision and language preferences. This inclusive process ensured that the transition strategies were not merely imposed but were co-created with those who would live their effects.
Central to these guidelines is the focus on sustainable environmental practices and effective water management, to mitigate the impact of daily activities in the new, more wooded habitat. Such strategies are crucial for the Guna, as they adapt to living away from the immediate presence of the ocean yet still strive to maintain their cultural and spiritual bonds to water and land.
The creation of the guidelines reflects the need for capacity building within the community. Recognizing the importance of self-sufficiency in project management, the GEF CReW+ project facilitated training and education initiatives. These efforts were designed to empower the Guna with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage and finance their own development projects, thereby fostering sustainable growth and autonomy.
However, securing the funding necessary to support these initiatives posed a significant challenge. The project team had to navigate complex financial landscapes to ensure the Guna had the resources needed to make their new community a success. This aspect of the project is ongoing, as securing adequate funding is critical for the community's ability to sustain and expand its development efforts.
The GEF CReW+ project and the Guna Yala community is a vivid illustration of change, challenge, and the continuous journey towards a sustainable future. It's a tale of a community standing at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, equipped with tools forged from their heritage and new learnings. As they move forward, the Guna of Isberyala are not just preserving their past; they are redefining their future.
About the project
The GEF CReW+ Project "An integrated approach to water and wastewater management using innovative solutions and promoting financing mechanisms in the Wider Caribbean Region" is a partnership project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) that is being co-implemented by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 18 countries of the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR).
This project builds upon its previous successful phase “The Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (CReW)” project (2011-2017). GEF CReW+ is being executed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Organisation of the American States (OAS), and the Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention (CAR/RCU) on behalf of the IDB and UNEP respectively.
More about the CReW+ Project: https://www.gefcrew.org.
© 2026 IW:LEARN
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