In a remarkable advancement towards building socio-ecological resilience and sustainable livelihoods, the Center for Women’s Empowerment & Gender Equality (CWEGE) at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has been awarded a prestigious grant for its transformative project, “Blue is the New Pink: Women Driving Sustainable Seaweed Cultivation and Climate Solutions.”

This forward-thinking initiative is funded under the 7th Operational Phase of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry (MoEF&CC), Government of India, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project is being executed through The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and implemented by Amrita University.

The focus of this initiative is the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, a region renowned for its exceptional marine biodiversity. The project aims to empower coastal communities—especially women—by aligning their livelihoods with sustainable seaweed cultivation practices that complement essential marine conservation efforts. A key component of the initiative is the restoration of seagrass ecosystems, which act as powerful carbon sinks, playing a crucial role in climate change mitigation while providing critical feeding habitats for the endangered Dugongs.

By equipping women with the tools and knowledge to engage in these sustainable practices, the project aims to turn them into agents of change—transforming both their lives and the ecological health of the oceans. This initiative highlights the synergy between gender equality and environmental stewardship, positioning women at the forefront of climate solutions and marine biodiversity preservation.