The GEF CReW Project: A Summary of Progress and Achievements

The GEF CReW+ project has been instrumental in advancing integrated water and wastewater management (IWWM) across the Caribbean. As we review the project's progress, we see substantial achievements in institutional reforms, policy advancements, financial readiness, and wastewater management, benefiting numerous countries and setting a foundation for sustainable water practices.

Component I. Institutional, policy, legislative and regulatory reforms for Integrated Water and Wastewater Management (IWWM).

One of the critical achievements of the GEF CReW project is the consolidation and improvement of institutional, policy, and legislative frameworks for IWWM. So far, twelve countries have benefited from implementation of institutional advancements, with an additional three countries set to benefit during 2024.

Three countries—Belize, Costa Rica, and Jamaica—have received support in developing national policies through draft and concept notes. Five other countries—Honduras, Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago—have undergone normative and regulatory reforms and received recommendations related to water reuse, wastewater discharge, and water management in indigenous and national contexts. Furthermore, six countries—Barbados, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and St. Kitts—have developed national plans, strategies, and guidelines to support water reuse, watershed management, and water governance. Colombia and Suriname have conducted diagnostics to support wastewater discharge compliance and evaluated their institutional and regulatory frameworks.

Additionally, by the end of 2024, Grenada and Saint Kitts and Nevis are expected to benefit from national policy reviews and developments, while Cuba will strengthen its Water Councils.

The project has also made strides in enhancing regional and national coordination, information exchange, and science-based decision-making. Four countries—Costa Rica, Guyana, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago—are in various stages of implementing national databases for water resources management. While there have been delays due to challenges in engaging countries and internal consultations, the completion of these databases is expected soon. Jamaica is also anticipated to benefit from the enhancement of its national database. The development of the Regional Platform by GRID Arendal has been finalized, further supporting these efforts.

Component II. Sustainable and tailor-made financing options for urban, peri-urban and rural IWWM.

A major accomplishment under this outcome is the completion of a Compendium on financing for Water and Sanitation in 2023, aimed at improving understanding of different financing options in the water sector. Additionally, eight countries have benefited from financial interventions to enhance readiness for IWWM financing. These interventions have established enabling conditions for developing financial instruments in Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, and Suriname, and have contributed to developing and enhancing financial instruments in Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

Further, four countries have received support for sustainable financing options for IWWM. Costa Rica has worked on establishing conditions for structuring public-private partnerships (PPPs), while Belize, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic have received recommendations to enhance environmental policy and regulatory frameworks aimed at improving the financial sustainability of the sector.

Component III. Innovative small-scale, local, peri-urban and community-based solutions for IWWM.

Despite challenges, the project has made significant progress in improving wastewater treatment, including reuse in rural and peri-urban hotspots. All interventions are aimed at supporting integrated and innovative water and wastewater low tech solutions design and/or implementation. It is noted that several interventions were not able to reach the implementation stage due to limited financial resources. It is estimated that 2,000 m³/day of wastewater will be treated by the end of the project. This achievement will benefit countries including the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, interventions are expected to impact 20,000 households, providing them with improved wastewater treatment.

Moreover, Guatemala has benefited from activities supporting improved life cycle management and efficiency in water use, promoting source protection and water reuse in managing surface and groundwater resources. By the end of 2024, Guyana is expected to benefit from an improved water source protection plan for a specific watershed.

Component 4: Knowledge management and Advocacy on the importance of IWWM order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

The project's communication strategy and plan have ensured that all 18 participating countries benefit from awareness and understanding of integrated approaches to water management. Under the GEF CReW+ Academy, thirty webinars were held between 2021 and 2023, with 95% of participants reporting increased knowledge and skills in monitoring national and regional reforms for IWWM, designing financial mechanisms, and implementing innovative low-cost water and wastewater management solutions.

Overall, the GEF CReW+ project has made remarkable strides in advancing IWWM across the Caribbean. With continued efforts and collaboration, the project is set to achieve even greater impact, fostering sustainable water management practices and improving the quality of life for communities in the region.