This project is delivered in partnership with MNU and Ministry of Environment under the Canadian Technical Assistance Partnership – Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM) by Alinea International.

The overarching objective of this initiative is to enhance the capacity of the Maldives National University to fund and undertake climate change and climate action research that supports healthy, climate resilient, adaptive, and environmentally sustainable Maldivian communities.

The three overarching SDGs embedded across the MNU Climate and Environment Research Framework are:

•  SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Ensuring gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are considered across research categories and priorities.
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Promoting research centred on the perspectives, lived experiences, needs, and environmental challenges of Maldivian communities.
• SDG 13 – Climate Action: Serving as a cross-cutting goal across the framework, with all research priorities contributing to understanding, adapting to, or addressing climate change and its impacts.

In addition, individual research priorities and sub-priorities may additionally contribute to other SDGs such as SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Key outcomes:

• Beginning in October 2024, over 50 individuals participated in consultative interviews and focus groups. This included over 30 participants engaging in collaborative workshops and meetings in February 2025 focused on defining research priorities and principles.
• From March to May 2025, the draft framework was iteratively refined through validation sessions and internal reviews.
• A final version of the Maldives National University Environment and Climate Framework 2025-2030 was developed and launched in June 2025.