“Namoona” refers to something that is exemplary, ideal, an exception. The lighthouse communities of Soneva Namoona shine a path for island communities around the world.
Our partnership provides a blueprint for how all islands can phase out single-use plastic, introduce recycling and inspire a new generation of environmental stewards by fostering a love for the ocean.
The Problem
The small coral islands of the Maldives are considered to be among the most beautiful locations on our planet. However, in a nation with few municipal waste facilities, it is expensive to transport waste off the island. Instead, the majority of local islands burn it in open fires to prevent it piling up and spilling into the ocean. The open burning of plastics leaves partially-burned trash and toxic ash that blows or leaks into the surrounding ocean, and very little waste is currently recycled.
The Solution
The Soneva Namoona NGO was founded to co-create, pilot and spread innovations that empower zero-waste communities across the Maldives. We address the social, policy and material obstacles to sustainable waste management which include a lack of recycling infrastructure; scarce SUP alternatives; insufficient or inadequate policies and capacities to support a zero waste future. Recognising the need for collective action, we work in partnership with Namoona island stakeholders to tackle to tackle this wicked problem.
Our Origins
Soneva Namoona is a unique partnership that was initially launched in 2019 as a pilot project between luxury resort Soneva Fushi and three local islands – Maalhos, Dharavandhoo and Kihaadhoo.
At the first workshop in 2019, which was attended by local island leaders, government ministers and representatives of the President’s Office, our three partner islands pledged to introduce household segregation and create an ‘eco centro’ waste-to-wealth centre to sort, recycle and reuse island waste.
Today, we use a similar partnership model to work with 21 islands across three atolls. Our funding partners include Soneva and USAID.
Our Mission
Soneva Namoona co-creates, pilots and spread innovations that empower zero-waste communities across the Maldives.
Our commitment to the elimination of single-use plastic drives our holistic, strategic approach to addressing the social and systemic problems associated with this waste stream, which exacerbates the environmental crisis on small coral islands.
Our innovations fall into three categories.
How We Work
A Wicked Problem
To empower zero waste communities there are social, policy and material obstacles to overcome. On local Maldivian islands, there are few alternatives to single use plastic items, no recycling infrastructure and a lack of coordinated waste management systems. The problem is vastly complex and must be treated as such.
Community Partnerships
We work with community leaders such as the Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee, local NGOs, schools and swimming groups to co-create zero waste solutions and to ignite change. Collaborative solutions empower community changemakers to become zero waste champions and to showcase solutions that can be scaled nationally and globally.
Innovating Solutions
Our approach is grounded in a real understanding of the problem. We work with community members to explore problems from different angles and gain unique insights through an understanding of the lived realities of the communities that we work with. Once a problem is identified, we co-create solutions to pilot.
Advocacy
Once innovations are trialed and tested with our local island community partners, the success stories are amplified and learnings are shared at the island, national and international level. It is crucial that waste management policy frameworks are informed by the experiences and learnings of island communities.
Islands we work with
Soneva Namoona partners with islands on various initiatives, co-creating solutions towards sustainable living through eliminating plastics, better waste management practices and environmental literacy. Historically, our work has been primarily been focused in atolls where the Soneva Resorts operate: Baa Atoll and Noonu Atoll, with the most recent addition of Haa Dhaalu. We are excited to be strategizing ways to work with more islands in further regions of the Maldives soon, so stay tuned!
Partner Islands
Meet the Team
Management Team
Our management team oversees the implementation of our work on the ground and is invested in co-designing effective strategies to create empowered zero waste communities across the Maldives.
Director of Operations
Avinash P. Singh
Avinash leads the organizational strategy to scale our efforts for empowered zero-waste communities across the Maldives. He oversees the development of our resource mobilization, communications and advocacy initiatives. He is a recipient of the Helmut-Schmidt scholarship for a Master’s Degree in Public Management and practices Design Thinking for social innovation.
Inspire Manager
Azhoora Ahmed
Azhoora oversees all community engagement activities, including zero waste workshops, competitions, and the Shore to Open Water Series. She is the President of Soneva Namoona NGO and holds a Master’s Degree in Tourism, Hotel and Event Management.
Reduce Manager
Khady Hamid
Khady leads our Reduce component, piloting and promoting alternatives to single-use plastics. She is responsible for the oversight of Soneva Water and for the development of novel programs to create greater accessibility and adoption of Single Use Plastics alternatives. She holds a Master’s Degree in Development Practice.
Recycle Manager
Gordon Jackson
Gordon designed the Namoona Sustainable Waste Management Model. He works with island councils to develop bespoke solutions, while consulting with atoll councils on sustainable waste management systems. He holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering.
Executive Board
As an NGO registered with the Ministry of Youth, Information and Arts, our Executive Board provides oversight to ensure that all decisions taken within the organization are in the best interest of the NGO.
President
Azhoora Ahmed
Vice President
Hussain Fahumy
Treasurer
Aishath Sana
General Secretary