EU gives EUR 4 million to address climate change

The European Union (EU) has approved a contribution of EUR 4 million (MVR 84 million) to the Maldives to address climate change.

The EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives said in a statement that the EU has supported development activities in the Maldives for more than a decade, and contributed approximately EUR 38 million to date.

The EU said that the new funds will go to projects in the two southern-most atolls, Addu and Fuvahmulah.

Ongoing projects carried out by the EU, implemented by the World Bank in partnership with the government, focus specifically on renewable energy solutions, wetlands conservation, rainwater harvesting, coral reef monitoring and solid waste management.

The EU has also contributed financially to a renewable energy project in Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo, and wetland conservation projects in several islands.

The EU said that the renewable energy project, aimed at providing 300 MWh annually of renewable energy through grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems, will benefit 7,000 inhabitants in Thinadhoo.

The wetland conservation project, implemented in Fuvahmulah, Seenu Hithadhoo and Alif Alif Ukulhas, will enable the government in implementing a clear strategy for wetland and drainage management, ecotourism and community rainwater harvesting, and will benefit about 22,000 inhabitants, said the EU.