The Seaweeds Enterprise Action Working for Empowerment and Economic Development (SEAWEED) Project is a three year project (March 2011 to August 31, 2014) implemented in the Caraga region in partnership with Fundacion CODESPA and funded by Agencia Española de Cooperacion International para el Desarollo (AECID). The project was a replication of a project in Sitangkai under the PRIME Program. It aimed to scale-up the seaweed industry in the Caraga region through the adoption of new seaweed farming technology, strengthening of the seaweed farmers’ organizations, and linking the seaweed farmers to the market and financial institutions.
The main beneficiaries of the SEAWEED project are 18 seaweed farmer associations in the provinces of Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte. PDAP provided business development services to the PO partners. These included capacity development interventions such as training, technical assistance, mentoring, and coaching on enterprise and organizational management, seaweed technology improvement, providing access to financial institutions, facilitating market linkages, and policy support and advocacy.
The SEAWEED Project contributed to pro-poor growth in the Caraga region particularly in Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte. The project increased the income of seaweed farmers while providing employment opportunities to both men and women as a result of the interventions intended to increase productivity and enhance the marketability/competitiveness of the seaweed products. The project resulted in (a) improved seaweeds industry with access to stable markets; (b) economically viable and sustainable seaweed farmers associations; and, (c) increased household income through value-adding products.
Success Stories: