A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 2nd February 2026 between the Small Island Geographic Society (SIGS), the Local Government Authority (LGA), and the Maldives Institute of Local Governance (MILG) to collaborate on the implementation of project activities in the Maldives under the REDEFINE Project.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the Local Government Authority by Ms. Hawwa Izwath, Director; on behalf of the Maldives Institute of Local Governance by Mr. Hussain Waheed, Director; and on behalf of the Small Island Geographic Society by Ms. Mizna Mohamed, Director of Science and Innovation.

The REDEFINE Project, titled “Redefining Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding – Empowering CSOs for Sustainable Peace in Sri Lanka and the Maldives,” aims to contribute to effective conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and crisis preparedness within communities. The project places particular emphasis on addressing conflict drivers linked to the environment, climate change, and natural resource management.

Through this collaboration, REDEFINE seeks to strengthen the capacity and resilience of youth- and women-led civil society organisations, young peacebuilders, and multi-actor networks at the city/island and district levels in selected areas of the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

The REDEFINE project is funded by the European Union and implemented by Chrysalis (a Sri Lankan NGO as the main implementing partner) and SIGS – Small Island Geographic Society (a Maldivian NGO as the co-implementing partner).