SUMMARY  

The CORAL project (2025–2030) addresses the Maldives’ urgent climate and environmental vulnerabilities by combining coral conservation, renewable energy transition, and sustainable livelihood development. With an AU$5M budget, the project aims to enhance Nature Park management, scale up coral restoration technologies, and transition a pilot island to 100% solar energy—while embedding gender equality, social inclusion, and community empowerment across all interventions. 

BACKGROUND  

The Maldives hosts one of the world’s largest and most biodiverse coral reef systems (~4,500 km²), but it is highly threatened by sea-level rise, marine heatwaves, erosion, and local pressures such as pollution and overfishing. These environmental threats intersect with socioeconomic vulnerabilities—high dependence on coastal resources, limited technical capacity, and climate‑sensitive livelihoods—making climate adaptation, renewable energy adoption, and ecosystem protection national priorities. 

PROJECT OUTCOMES  

Outcome 1 – Economic benefits and investments for inclusive climate and disaster resilience are strengthened through revitalized National Park management 

Improve economic resilience and disaster preparedness by revitalizing nature park management through a national master plan, climate‑resilient park infrastructure, and natural capital accounting to guide sustainable development. 

Outcome 2 – Enhanced integration of transformative technologies for the effective management and restoration of coral reefs with increased national capacity and knowledge, ensuring a gender responsive and inclusive approach 

Strengthen coral reef conservation through national assessments, capacity‑building for CSOs, and the adoption of innovative, climate‑resilient coral restoration technologies, ensuring long‑term health of critical ecosystems. 

Outcome 3 – Enhanced energy security through the integration of gender responsive and inclusive renewable energy systems in island communities to strengthen the resilience of small island communities, support sustainable tourism, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. 

Support one island to fully transition to solar energy, trains local women and PWDs as renewable‑energy technicians, and installs solar‑powered EV charging stations to enhance energy security and reduce reliance on diesel. 

 

GEWE / GESI COMPONENT 

The project is classified GEN2, meaning gender equality is intentionally integrated across all outputs. 

Key GESI strategies include: 

  • A dedicated Gender and Social Inclusion Plan within the Nature Park Master Plan.
  • Ensuring meaningful participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in conservation and renewable‑energy sectors.
  • Prioritizing women in technical training for solar O&M.
  • Ensuring park infrastructure improvements are accessible and disability‑inclusive.
  • Using gender‑disaggregated indicators to track equity and participation. 

These approaches align with the UNDP Gender Equality Strategy and the Maldives’ National Gender Equality Action Plan. 

 

PLANNED ACHIEVEMENTS  

  • Strengthen local governance by integrating Nature Park planning and management into local development processes.
  • Improve Nature Park facilities with more resilient, accessible, and inclusive infrastructure.
  • Advance data‑driven conservation through Natural Capital Accounting and climate‑informed assessments of coral reef health.
  • Build national and community‑level capacity for coral restoration, monitoring, and the use of innovative reef‑restoration technologies.
  • Expand community skills in renewable energy, with a focus on women’s technical training and broader community‑wide awareness.
  • Integrate renewable energy solutions into a pilot island community, including cleaner energy systems and supportive technologies such as solar‑powered charging stations.
  • Promote sustainable livelihoods linked to conservation, ecotourism, and renewable energy, benefitting local communities and vulnerable groups. 

 

Any other additional information necessary  

  • Implementation modality: Direct Implementation (DIM) by UNDP with strong oversight from the Project Board.
  • Partnership ecosystem: MoTE, MMRI, STELCO, FENAKA, councils, CSIRO, UNSW, CSOs/NGOs, and DFAT.
  • Safeguards: ESIA and ESMP planned; SESP identified moderate risks (climate, biodiversity, labour, pollution) with active mitigation measures.
  • Sustainability: Long-term continuity supported through revenue‑generating Nature Parks, enhanced community capacity, renewable energy integration, and alignment with national frameworks (NDCs, NBSAP).
  • Knowledge products: Master Plans, NCA reports, coral restoration briefs, toolkits, digital learning materials. 


    Download: Grievance Redress Mechanism for  Conserving Reefs through Adaptation and  Livelihood (1004593)
    Annex 1 - Grievance Redress Registering and Monitoring Form