The Sandwatch project was launched by UNESCO in 1999 as a volunteer network of primary and secondary school students and teachers. Sandwatch seeks to develop awareness of the fragile nature of the marine and coastal environment and the need to use it wisely.

The project activates an educational process through which school students and community members learn and work together. They critically evaluate the problems and conflicts facing their beach environments and develop sustainable approaches to address these issues. 

Sandwatch provides a practical ‘hands-on’ approach for integrating the values inherent to sustainable development into all aspects of learning. It thereby empowers citizens to act for positive environmental and social change.

Sandwatch contributes to the further implementation of the Program of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development    (2005-2014). 

Participating Countries

Caribbean Sea: Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe (France), Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, San Andres Archipelago, St.Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the US Virgin Islands

Indian Ocean: Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Indonesia, The Maldives, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mayotte, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Zanzibar

Pacific Ocean:  Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand

Africa: Ghana, Kenya, Gambia, Tanzania

Others: Azores (Portugal), Brazil, Mexico, Wales (UK), France

Project Coordinators

Sandwatch Foundation, Directors: Dr Gillian Cambers (Barbados) and Mr Paul Diamond (Saint Kitts and Nevis)