On June 13, 2026, the Prevention of Marine Litter in the Caribbean Sea (PROMAR) Project hosted an SOPs Endorsement Meeting at the Nationale Stichting Hindostaanse Immigratie on Lalla Rookhweg in Paramaribo, specifically tailored for civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) across Suriname. The evening event brought together approximately 20 participants, including representatives from volunteer-driven groups such as Rotary and JCI clubs, who regularly organize community cleanups and play an active role in local environmental efforts.

 

The meeting was designed to encourage broader promotion and adoption of two key PROMAR tools: the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the National Litter Database. With CSOs and CBOs frequently on the front lines of community-led cleanups, the session emphasized how consistent use of these tools could help bridge existing gaps in litter data across Suriname, while also highlighting the practical benefits these organizations stand to gain from more standardized, data-driven approaches to waste collection and reporting.

 

Following registration and a welcome address, the session opened with an introduction to the PROMAR project, providing attendees with context on its broader goals of preventing marine litter and promoting circular economy solutions across Suriname. This was followed by a presentation on the results of the Baseline Waste Characterization Studies, offering participants valuable insight into the current composition and scope of litter found across the country's coastal and community environments.

 

After a short snack break, the meeting continued with a detailed presentation on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), outlining how these standardized guidelines can support more consistent, effective cleanup and data collection practices among community organizations. This was followed by a presentation on the National Litter Database, demonstrating how the systematic recording of litter data from cleanups, including those led by CSOs and CBOs, can help build a more complete national picture of marine litter trends over time, strengthening the evidence base for future policy and intervention efforts.

 

The meeting concluded with an open feedback session, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions, share their own experiences from past cleanup efforts, and offer input on how the SOPs and database could be made more accessible and useful for volunteer-led organizations.

 

By directly engaging CSOs and CBOs, groups that form the backbone of grassroots environmental action in Suriname, this endorsement meeting reinforced PROMAR's commitment to inclusive, community-driven marine litter prevention. Ensuring that these organizations are equipped with standardized tools and a shared national database strengthens the overall quality and consistency of litter data across the country, helping to advance PROMAR's broader mission of reducing plastic pollution and building a more sustainable, circular economy in Suriname.