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CASE STUDY 1 — KLEIN CURAÇAO DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Klein Curaçao Development Plan — Case Study

Case Study · Beyond Impact

Klein Curaçao Development Plan

Connecting site-level reform to regional frameworks · Ramsar Wetland of International Importance #2355

Lead agency
Ministry of Health, Environment & Nature (Min. GMN)
Implemented by
Government of Curaçao
Funder
European Union · RESEMBID
Programme
EUR 42M · 47 projects · 12 Caribbean OCTs
Role of Ciaretta Profas · Beyond Impact B.V.
Senior Policy Advisor & Project Manager
Ciaretta Profas was engaged from inception through the advancement phase of the Klein Curaçao Conservation Project. She played a central role in initiating, structuring, and advancing the project during its critical phases — launching the process, guiding it through programme development and funding mobilisation, and maintaining strategic oversight throughout implementation. The day-to-day site management was handled by the Klein Curaçao Consortium, while Ciaretta provided strategic leadership bridging policy objectives with implementation architecture.
Strategic policy advisory Programme design Funding mobilisation Governance & coordination Project oversight Financial governance
Key achievements
Strategic trajectory
  • Translated the Klein Curaçao Management Plan into an implementable programme framework
  • Identified funding requirements and priority intervention areas for RESEMBID funding
  • Aligned conservation objectives with realistic financing pathways
Funding mobilisation
  • Authored the concept note and drafted the full project proposal
  • Served as liaison between Min. GMN and Expertise France on technical, financial, and compliance matters
  • Consolidated stakeholder feedback into a coherent project narrative
  • Coordinated the external review process
  • Contributed to the successful acquisition of funding by Min. GMN
Governance & institutional coordination
  • Supported an internal steering group within the Ministry
  • Strengthened coordination between the Ministry and the Klein Curaçao Consortium
  • Facilitated alignment between policy objectives and operational implementation
  • Provided regular updates to the executive body and the Council of Ministers
Project oversight & financial governance
  • Held regular progress meetings with the project manager and monitored risks and interdependencies
  • Supported compliance with donor and regulatory requirements
  • Collaborated with the financial advisor engaged by the Ministry
  • Reinforced budget oversight and accountability mechanisms
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Site context
Klein Curaçao is a small uninhabited island ~11 km southeast of Curaçao, designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2018. Home to pristine coral reefs including endangered elkhorn and staghorn corals, sea turtle nesting grounds, and migratory birds. Receives nearly 200,000 visitors annually. Protected under Ramsar, CITES, and the SPAW Protocol.

Project outputs

01
Project objective
Strategic

Develop strategies to protect Klein Curaçao's natural resources while enabling sustainable use for visitors and residents. Contribute to SDG 2030 and Curaçao's Development Plan 2015–2030. Advance marine management, long-term monitoring, and public awareness. Operationalise obligations under the Ramsar Convention, CBD, and emerging 30x30 conservation targets.

Conservation Sustainable use SDG-aligned 30x30
02
Output 1 — General permit system
Regulatory

General permit system to manage recreational and tourism-related activities. Includes visitor cap considerations and designated mooring buoys to minimize reef damage. Addresses pressure from ~200,000 annual visitors.

Access management Tourism regulation Reef protection
03
Output 2 — Research & monitoring framework
Scientific

Long-term marine monitoring protocols for continued ecosystem evaluation. Includes carrying capacity study, survey of spatial characteristics, and observation and research program for biodiversity assessment and adaptive management.

Marine monitoring Carrying capacity Adaptive management
04
Output 3 — Klein Curaçao Development Plan
Policy

Formulation and submission of the Development Plan by Min. GMN to the Council of Ministers. Developed with the Waitt Institute and CARMABI Foundation. Aligns with Ramsar Convention obligations. Now with the Interministerial Working Group (national decree 2019) for implementation framework finalisation.

Policy framework Ramsar compliance Interministerial coordination
05
Output 4 — Awareness & communications plan
Engagement

National communications plan targeting visitors, local population, and stakeholder groups. Separate sessions for fishermen, tourism operators, maritime sector, and NGOs. Includes clean-up activities, on-site observations, and multilingual outreach in Dutch, Papiamentu, and English.

Multi-stakeholder Public awareness Community engagement
06
Output 5 — Sustainable financing framework
Finance

Long-term financing framework to support environmental protection efforts and guarantee continued management capacity beyond the project period. Includes participatory budgeting and public-private partnerships to diversify resource flows.

Sustainable finance Long-term management Public-private partnership
07
Output 6 — Lighthouse restoration plan
Heritage

Restoration plan for the historic Klein Curaçao lighthouse (originally built 1850), addressing both cultural heritage value and practical site management needs.

Cultural heritage Site management

Implementing consortium

EcoSense — lead CARMABI Caribbean Legal Consultancy Markstra Caribbean Newton Heritage Consulting Profound Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao

Funded by the European Union through the RESEMBID Programme — EUR 42M supporting sustainable human development across 12 Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories, 47 projects in portfolio.

Disclaimer: This work reflects the professional experience of the author. Any references to past roles or organisations are included for context and do not imply endorsement.

The case study

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Case study
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