Background
Suriname is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including threats to its forests, agricultural productivity, energy security, and low-lying coastal zones. Although the country benefits from extensive forest cover and significant natural resources, it faces constraints in technological innovation and climate technology development, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Strengthening national capacity to develop, adopt, and deploy climate technologies is therefore essential to achieving the country’s mitigation and adaptation goals as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and broader development vision.
SMEs have a critical role to play in advancing climate action in Suriname by delivering locally relevant solutions such as renewable energy applications, sustainable agricultural practices, and nature-based business models. However, climate considerations have not yet been systematically integrated into the country’s emerging innovation ecosystem. At the same time, Suriname faces a number of barriers that limit climate technology deployment, including weak research and development capacity, fragmented stakeholder coordination, insufficient technical infrastructure, limited access to finance, and inadequate mechanisms for knowledge sharing. Addressing these challenges presents a timely opportunity to build a more inclusive innovation ecosystem that promotes youth participation, gender equality, and climate-resilient economic development.
CTCN Support
This technical assistance will support the establishment and operationalization of the Innovation Network Suriname, building on ongoing efforts led by the Department of Technological Innovation (DTI) within the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation. The technical assistance will strengthen coordination among government institutions, academia, the private sector, and civil society, while helping to integrate climate technology priorities into the country’s innovation agenda. It will also support the development of institutional frameworks and partnerships needed to accelerate technology transfer and innovation.
In addition, the technical assistance will enhance human and institutional capacities for climate technology development and deployment through targeted training, knowledge exchange, and access to global expertise, tools, and networks. This TA will help improve the enabling environment for innovation, strengthen innovation support structures such as incubators, and facilitate greater access to technologies and resources that contribute to climate-resilient development.
Expected Outcome
The technical assistance is expected to contribute to a stronger, more coordinated national innovation ecosystem that enables climate technology development, research, and deployment across key sectors. As a result, Suriname will be better positioned to foster innovation, strengthen institutional and technical capacities, and increase the uptake of climate-resilient technologies that support long-term adaptation and sustainable development objectives.
Seeking experts
The CTCN invites qualified experts and firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) to participate in this initiative. For further information on this opportunity, visit the UN Global Marketplace (UNGM) or the UN website. Deadline for applications: 18 June 2026.
If you are not yet a member of the CTCN Network, you can apply to join here.
