In Guinea Bissau, CESO will train technicians from the Ministry of Natural Resources, from various government institutions and members from civil society in environmental protection and social policy.

The project for Strengthening the Technical Capabilities of the National Authority for the Environmental Assessment,  aims  to contribute towards maximizing the participation of the extractive industries in Guinea-Bissau for durable and inclusive economic development, minimizing potential negative impacts that may arise on the environment and society.

Funded by the World Bank, the intervention is part of the Technical Assistance of the Extractive Industries Sector in Guinea Bissau. It will support governance and promote enhanced institutional performance in the extractive industries.  This is to ensure that future investments in this area are carried out in a sustainable way, by sharing information and promoting effective sensitization of communities potentially affected by the impacts of the resulting activities of these industries.

The organization of the mining sector is a major challenge in the coming years. Namely regarding the re-launch of prospecting and mining research, knowledge on the mineral potential and geological information updating, the diversification of production, a favorable environment to create business opportunities and to attract private investments in to the sector.

In this context and based on a long-term outlook for the sector, the project for Strengthening the Technical Capabilities of the National Authority for the Environmental Assessment which  CESO will implement in partnership with MERG (from Canada) and Expertise (from Guinea Bissau), includes a dimension of integrating environmental and social components throughout the life cycle of mining operations.

Seminars, workshops and a course are planned for the technicians from the National Authority for the Environmental Assessment, other institutions from the Guinea Bissau Government, namely from the Mines and Geology Direction, governmental institutions involved in the extractive industries operations, parliamentarians, civil society, non-governmental organizations, local leaders, among others.

The Project started last June and will run for 64 weeks.

Find more information about the project here

July, 2015.