The ReFi Ecosystem in Suriname 🇸🇷

Orginally published on Feb 23rd at ReFi Spring Blog from authors:
Tim Goudzand - Surinamese founder of Infinitri.io
Marcelo Silva - Community Builder @ ReFi Spring & ReFi DAO
Anna Kaic - Marketing lead @ ReFi Spring & ReFi DAO

As the global ReFi ecosystem expands, it takes on new forms, both in terms of the global markets and, more recently, attention to the need to build local references to accelerate the emergence of new ReFi ecosystems.

These local references have different forms and are integrated into the global movement of ReFi each in their own way, thus, there is still no formula or even general bases that are shared by all these local collectives of agents that are organized around ReFi.

One of the most relevant values that ReFi Spring delivers to the ecosystem is the opportunity to visualize these communities and join them from a collection of Telegram groups and local events in almost thirty countries.

However, the next step, the constitution of the local ecosystem, is the result of the work of the community itself in the form of its catalysts (which may be people or organizations).

These local ecosystems do not arise automatically or impersonally, on the contrary, it arises from people's intention to organize themselves to accelerate the production of solutions using web3 to local challenges.

In this context, the ecosystems of the Global South have a special weight as they emerge as bridges between agents and organizations from the global north, and local challenges and opportunities in, often, disenfranchised neighbourhoods.

These bridges are responsible for allowing a safe, non-imperialist, and mutualist approach.

In this context, South America emerges as a special case due to the abundance of its natural reserves and the recurrent threats to such diversity of riches. This article, however, aims to highlight the conditions for the emergence of a local ReFi ecosystem in a specific South American country which is unique in many different ways.

The Uniqueness of Suriname

Suriname is a small but unique country with a rich history, culture, and natural beauty that sets it apart from the rest of the world. There are several factors that make Suriname unique, including its diverse population, its geography, and its biodiversity.

Suriname, the only Dutch-speaking country in South America, is home to people from a wide range of ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. A country home to descendants from all over the world, including indigenous tribes, Africans, Chinese, Javanese, Hindus, Lebanese and Creoles.

This diverse population has created a unique cultural mosaic in the country, with a rich mix of traditions, languages, and customs. A great example of this is a mosque right next to the synagogue in the heart of our capital city Paramaribo.

Suriname's geography is equally as unique. The country, part of the Guayana-Suriname basin, is located on the northeastern coast of South America, surrounded by Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the few countries in the world that is located in both the Americas and the Caribbean.

This unique location provides the country with a rich diversity of ecosystems, including the Amazon rainforest, the coastal mangrove forests, and the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, with a rich array of flora and fauna that are found nowhere else on the planet.

This biodiversity is of utmost importance for the country and the world, as it provides a valuable source of livelihood for the local population, helps maintain the balance of the Earth’s ecosystem, supports scientific research, and attracts tourists from around the world.

Infinitri’s mission of creating a local ReFi ecosystem

Between the different ESG or green initiatives in Suriname, Infinitri highlights itself by the use of Web3 to address the challenge of creating incentives to the protection of the forests that covers 92% of the country.

Blockchain emerged as an alternative to traditional ways due to a set of conditions such as slow rate of national development, fast declining economy and limited access to international financial markets.

Since the first contact with the ReFi ecosystem, Infinitri has sharpened the vision of the relevance of Suriname to the global ReFi ecosystem and has started to prepare the ground for a local ReFi ecosystem in Suriname.

The first step was the organization of a ReFi event in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, where entrepreneurs, scientists, federal authorities, and the local community gathered to learn about ReFi and create links between their projects.

Now it's time for the next step, the settling of a formal ReFi community in Suriname, aligned around the principles of regeneration, collaboration, and common prosperity.

This alliance will have the responsibility of nurturing the land for a new generation of startups that will bridge the gap between Web3 and Climate Action in Suriname.

If you want to know more about it, make sure to connect with the amazing team of Infinitri.io.

This article is a call for the ReFi ecosystem to come to know Suriname and its important place in the world! 🌍 💚