In an unexpected turn of events, the staff at Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) found themselves without continuous funding in July, resulting in our team being left unemployed at the start of the month. This unforeseen development not only had a personal impact on us, but also required us to redirect our attention towards the River Guardians game.

Due to the unfortunate decrease in funding, we were forced to carefully reconsider our available resources and reevaluate our priorities. The urgency to develop a project that is both sustainable, impactful and scalable has never been greater. The reduction in funding also brought attention to the wider problems of financial instability and its impact on environmental initiatives, emphasizing the significance of developing a game that could increase awareness and inspire global action.

This financial setback has led us to the realization that River Guardians must expand beyond a single region. The problems of biodiversity loss, clean water scarcity, and pollution are not limited to Guyana; they are challenges that affect the entire world and demand united efforts. This broader perspective was a perfect match for Rotary’s new focus area on the environment and its partnership with the UN. It highlights the importance of global cooperation in addressing environmental challenges.

Tim from Grendel played an essential role in this transition. His innovative idea of incorporating universal environmental elements into the game, through a resource management approach, greatly influenced our goal-setting process. We strived to develop a game that not only imparts knowledge about environmental issues but also motivates players to consider practical measures they can adopt in their everyday lives to have a positive impact.

By employing innovative design and incorporating elements of fun, our goal was to foster a deeper comprehension of the intricate issues surrounding urbanization, pollution, and environmental sustainability. The revamped game aims to prompt players to think about the wider consequences of their choices and motivate them to actively engage in protecting the environment.

Rotary’s recent shift towards the environment and its collaboration with the UN served as a great source of inspiration for our redesign. This partnership highlights the importance of environmental issues on a global scale and perfectly aligns with our objective of expanding River Guardians to tackle ecological challenges around the world. If we could focus our river campaign on Rotary’s environmental sector, it would provide an opportunity to unite clubs, countries, and continents across South America, Europe, and Africa for a common cause. This would greatly enhance our determination and magnify our influence.

This was initially done by incorporating these themes into a joint social media campaign showcasing the various elements that go into creating awareness around water conservation in the three countries. The campaign was driven by the PFG and the content within their River Guardian’s game.

Our joint efforts resulted in a presentation alongside Tim at a conference conducted on Zoom in London. The main goal was to actively contribute to environmental change within our respective fields. This redesign and expansion perfectly aligns with Rotary’s 2024-2025 Environmental Vision while also enhancing the game’s ability to educate and inspire players worldwide.

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The sudden withdrawal of financial support at Policy Forum Guyana was a difficult setback, but it also presented a chance to adapt and broaden our perspective. By embracing a global perspective and collaborating with partners such as Grendel, we are deeply dedicated to creating a game that can have a significant impact in the battle against environmental degradation.

As we progress, we are collaborating with Rotary clubs in South Africa, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, and Georgetown, Guyana to amplify the game’s influence. Working together with these stakeholders will enable us to incorporate a wide range of perspectives and ensure that the game stays current and impactful. We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey and eagerly anticipate the opportunities it holds for us.