WHAT WE DO
Welcome to the website of the Small Island Geographic Society (SIGS), an NGO registered in the Maldives with a mission to inspire young people and build new generations who are passionate about the unique environment, geography, and livelihoods of small islands. Our organization was cofounded by a group of professional environmental consultants with over 20 years of experience working in the Maldives. At SIGS, we believe in collaborating with genuine, knowledgeable, and practical ideas and concepts that positively impact the small island environment and its people. Join us in our efforts to preserve and promote the beauty and sustainability of small islands!
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a community on small islands that is in harmony with nature, where residents live sustainably and responsibly, and where the unique environmental and cultural heritage of small islands is preserved for future generations. We aim to inspire and educate individuals and communities to adopt sustainable practices, conserving natural resources, and supporting local businesses and industries. Through our initiatives and partnerships, we strive to create a model for sustainable living on small islands that can be replicated in other island communities around the world.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote sustainable and resilient living on small islands through research, education, and community engagement. We aim to protect and conserve island environments and coral reefs by conducting research and sharing knowledge about the impact of climate change and other environmental threats. We strive to increase awareness and understanding among island communities about the importance of sustainable and climate-resilient living, and to facilitate the development of resilient environments through sustainable practices and policies. We are committed to engaging children and youth in the protection and conservation of island and coral reef ecosystems, and to fostering a sense of stewardship and responsibility among the next generation of island residents.
Our Values
Our values reflect our commitment to serving our community, promoting resilience of island environments and coral reefs, and working toward our mission in a way that is collaborative, transparent, and equitable.
At our organization, we are committed to upholding the following core values:
Respect and value for the community, volunteers, and staff: We recognize the importance of building strong relationships with our community members, volunteers, and staff, and we prioritize treating each individual with respect and dignity.
Teamwork and honesty: We believe that our mission can only be achieved through collaboration and open communication, and we are committed to working together in a spirit of transparency and honesty to achieve our goals.
Equity and effectiveness: We strive to provide programs and services that are equitable and effective for all members of the community. We are committed to evaluating our programs to ensure that they meet the needs of our community in the most effective way possible.
“The Earth is a mosque, and everything in it is sacred”
This quote emphasizes the importance of treating the natural world with reverence and respect and suggests that our relationship with the environment should be based on a sense of spiritual connection and responsibility. It aligns with SIGS's mission to promote sustainable living in harmony with nature and highlights the idea that environmental protection is a fundamental part of our moral and ethical obligations as human beings.
What We’ve Achieved
Successfully certified 3 students for PADI Open Water Diving and 4 students in PADI Advance Open Water diving as part of increasing the capacity of the diving community in Maldives.
Launching a coral reef research project on Banana reef. Famously known to be a popular dive site among Maldivians.
Starting an expedition to the protected wetlands found in K.Huraa to understand and teach the locals about the biodiversity and ecology of the mangrove system.
Launching clean ups in collaboration with local schools and teaching participants how to sort plastics into different categories