About us

We believe conservation should be people-oriented. Therefore, we built our programs upon, and with respect for, existing social systems. Our projects are designed for growth and are driven by local needs & knowledge to assure sustainable solutions.

Green Growth Suriname Foundation’s (GGS) mission is to further advance the people of Suriname’s wellbeing and welfare by conserving the biological and cultural richness of the country. GGS envisions Suriname as a country that recognizes and maintains its ecological and cultural balance, populated by its citizens that are enabled and recognized as cornerstones of a sustainable society. GGS envisions to achieve its goals by:

  • Developing and implementing models to include nature in national development processes.
  • Designing and executing socio-economic projects that contribute to GGS’s mission
  • Building capacity for nationals interested in conservation by organizing training sessions, workshops, seminars and socio-cultural excursions.

    • Our theory of change can be summarized as follows: If one increases the awareness and engagement of citizens, build capacity in government, and strengthen the stewardship of forest-dependent communities, these actors will be able to take full responsibility for protection of the forest, which will ultimately lead to ecological and cultural balance in the sustainable growth of Suriname.

At Green Growth Suriname (GGS) we adhere to our operation principles. What makes us different is our research-based approach, our core values and our operating model. Together with our partners we strive to further advance the people of Suriname’s wellbeing and welfare. Our NGO 2.0 concept for sustainable growth is summarized in this visual.

High return on investment

Green Growth Suriname is based on a virtual network delivery model. This means that there is a highly focused and limited core staff that periodically brings together and disbands networks of professionals based on specific needs for project activities. This allows for the inclusion of the best and most experienced conservation and development professionals to be deployed for short periods of time without the need for locking in high overheads.

Solid Ethos

Our programs are rooted in our shared love of nature and local communities and dedication to scientific methodologies. All our programs are designed with balance not just in mind, but at heart. When designing work programs and interventions we are guided by the four core values that make up our foundation, these are also represented through interconnected circles in our logo:

  1. Dedication to socio-cultural balance; bridging the worldviews at play in project design and implementation to the ultimate benefit of Suriname’s people
  2. Love of communities; capacity building guided by local needs, knowledge and customs to make vulnerable communities more resilient
  3. Appreciation of Biodiversity; conservation of biodiversity and data collection to mainstream the economic benefit of nature and forest stewardship
  4. Respect for Science; use evidence-based research in project design to add to national knowledge on bio-wealth and/or socio-cultural developments and inspire informed decision-making

This integrated approach ensures that our programs reflect our core values and will endure the test of time and integrity.

Precise alignment with existing needs

GGS designs all their projects themselves and see each project as a valuable contribution to the wellbeing and welfare of the citizens of Suriname and the wider world. The social fabric of indigenous communities and the political landscape is important in GGS’s approach. On the one hand, projects and programs are tailored towards the needs and skills of communities, and on the other hand, they are tied into government policy to advance remote communities, guaranteeing sustainable results for all involved. In that way, projects are more effective in terms of impact.

Partnerships

We partner with Suriname Government and the Trio tribe in the South of Suriname, who are acknowledged as the best conservationists in the world, overseeing 7.2 million hectares of the largest remaining rainforest. These forest custodians are the main reason Suriname still has 93% forest cover and can call itself the Most Forested Country on Earth.

Green Growth Suriname Foundation has an ongoing partnership with RE:WILD, formerly known as Global Wildlife Conservation. Through Re:Wild we receive funding from a.o. the Swedish Postcode Foundation.

Green Growth Suriname Foundation has partnered with Organisation of Indigenous Suriname (OIS) since 2020 for the COVID-19 Relief Fund for Communities in Suriname aimed at relieving immediate needs on health and food for remote indigenous communities due to COVID-19.

GGS believes in partnerships and building together towards our goals. In our quest to help Suriname grow with ecological and cultural balance, we equally value our work with indigenous communities, other NGOs, the private sector and government institutes.