Social & economic inclusion

We support people—especially women, youth, and rural families—to build more stable and independent lives.

Our work focuses on helping individuals develop practical skills, access opportunities, and participate actively in their communities. We provide training in areas like entrepreneurship, digital skills, and employability, while also supporting people to start or grow small businesses.

We also help communities strengthen local leadership, ensuring more people—especially those often left out—can take part in decision-making and shape their own development. Access to finance, mentorship, and local market opportunities are key parts of how we help turn ideas into sustainable livelihoods.

Our projects

Supported by: Inter-American Foundation (Logo)

Main participants: 206
Village/s: 10
Months: 30

Project’s purpose

To support collective initiatives that improve living conditions, ensure food security, and generate income, emphasizing women and youth

Participating communities

Hopkins, Georgetown, Santa Rosa, San Roman, San Isidro, Trio, Golden Stream, Indian Creek, Big Falls, and Blue Creek (10)

Timeframe

2021 to 2024

Supported by: Embassy of the Czech Republic in Mexico (Logo)
Main participants: 92
Village/s: 3
Months: 7

Overview
The project helped improve the health, income and overall well-being of 92 women and their families (396 people) in 3 communities in southern Belize:

  • Stann Creek District - Red Bank and Cowpen
  • Toledo District - San Isidro

92 people benefited directly from the project, and 32,938 indirectly

Objectives
Increase women’s knowledge and capacity to:

  • Understand human development and reproductive health
  • Produce food
  • Cook more nutritious meals
  • Run income-generating initiatives

Key activities and deliverables

To increase food security:

  • Each women's group (6 groups in total) collectively built and managed a chicken coop and constructed a firewood-saving stove.
  • Each group member set up / expanded their home garden (48 in total) with fruit and Moringa trees, as well as with several varieties of vegetables.

To strengthen health and financial stability, direct beneficiaries participated in:

  • 10 lessons per group with a focus on nutrition, food security, hygiene, & health.
  • 5 cooking demonstrations per group with nutritional ingredients produced by the project and available at the local market.
  • 9 entrepreneurship workshops on financial literacy, business plan creation and income diversification. 32 people external to the project were invited to attend these workshops.

To raise awareness about the importance of entrepreneurship, food security and the project progress:

  • Education materials reached 32,542 people via social media.

Supported by: Australian Aid (Logo)
Main participants: 145 Village/s: 4
Months: 24

Overview

The project helped improve the health and well-being of 145 females (75 girls, ages 10 to 17, and 70 adult females) and 568 relatives.

The project was implemented in 4 villages in southern Belize: Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Roman, and Bella Vista.

Key activities and deliverables

Five women’s and five girls’ clubs participated in various health, food security, and community improvement actions for two years.

Together, the ten groups:

  • Completed 250 theoretical lessons, 40 cooking demonstrations, and 10 cleaning and tree planting campaigns.
  • Planted 720 trees.
  • Built and managed 5 greenhouses, 5 chicken coops, and 5 pig pens.
  • Expand their home gardens with fruit trees and vegetables.
  • Built 12 firewood saving stoves.

65,457 people were reached on social media with messages about nutrition, food security, project updates, and other topics.

Supported by: USAID (Logo)

Main participants: 2,000+
Village/s: 1
Months: On-going

Project’s purpose

To assist migrants and Belizean returnees with accurate and appropriate information on migration procedures, offer support on migration services, and refer them to relevant government offices and IOM’s voluntary repatriation program

Participating communities

Bella Vista with outreach to nearby villages

Timeframe

2021 to 2024

Supported by: European Union (Logo)

Main participants: 175
Village/s: 10
Months: 28

Overview

The project contributed towards the effective participation of Civil Society Organizations as governance actors in youth development in southern Belize.

175+ youths, 12 to 35 years of age, and their relatives (approximately 230 people) benefited directly from increased civic participation of young people and the strengthened community networks and social equity resulting from the project.

Participating communities (10): Stann Creek district - Cowpen, Georgetown, Independence, Red Bank, San Juan, San Roman, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa. Toledo district - Bella Vista, Trio.

Objective

Strengthen the institutional and organizational capacity of CSOs and CBOs to deliver relevant and inclusive social services in Stann Creek and Toledo Districts.

* Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) / Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) represented by Youth Associations.

Key activities and deliverables

To increase participation and integration of youth in decision-making processes at the community level, the project:

  • Established Youth Clubs in 2 high schools in Toledo District.
  • Identified and organized 100 youth to support Youth Associations.
  • Carried out community outreach actions led and designed by youth.
  • Trained school staff and youth on youth leadership topics.
  • Produced and distributed information, education and communication materials - on youth empowerment - at the community level.
  • Among other actions.

To enhance cooperation between local authorities and CSOs during the delivery and monitoring of youth-sensitive programmes, the project:

  • Trained 15 youth ambassadors as Training of Trainers and support staff as facilitators; youth ambassadors will train Youth Associations.
  • Supported the legal registration of 10 Youth Associations.
  • Developed a training manual for implementation and monitoring of youth-sensitive programs, among others.

To enhance the capacity of youth service providers - at the district-level - to lead multi-agency coordination and improve knowledge management, the project:

  • Implemented a participatory mapping to assess the availability, accessibility and impact of current youth services programmes.
  • Developed multi-sectoral annual work plans and management information systems with the Department of Youth Services (DYS) and the Department of Human Development (DHD) in Toledo and Stann Creek Districts.
  • Facilitated SWOT analysis among Youth Associations.
  • Provided training to 3 Youth Associations on knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), youth policies, and other actions.

Supported by: European Union (Logo)

Main participants: TBC
Village/s: 7
Months: 26

Project’s purpose

To improve the ability of Civil Society Organizations to facilitate an enabling environment to increase service delivery on behalf of vulnerable communities in the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts.

Participating communities

Dangriga, Silk Grass, Bella Vista, Punta Gorda, Big Falls and San Pedro Columbia, and Independence (7)

Timeframe

2023 to 2025

Supported by: Embassy of Switzerland to Mexico and Belize (Logo)

Main participants: 105
Village/s: 2
Months: 9

Overview

The project helped prevent deforestation and improved the health of 21 females and their families while addressing public health issues at the community level. The participating females were organized into two women groups and worked collaboratively throughout the project.

The project was implemented in 2 villages: Golden Stream and Indian Creek

Key activities and deliverables

  • 105 people from 21 households gained access and learned to build a firewood-saving stove. To improve health and nutritional intake, the group members also participated in 18 lessons, 6 cooking demonstrations, planted 600 fruit trees, and received a food basket.
  • 348 households were reached with health, and environmental messaging provided by the women's groups. The groups also organized 4 community clean-ups.
  • 87,281 people were reached on social media with project updates.

Supported by: WWF (Logo)

Main participants: TBC
Village/s: 7
Months: 60

Project’s purpose

The Reef Guard Project supports the protection of Belize’s rich marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Focused on improving the management of four key marine protected areas in the Southern Belize Reef Complex (SBRC)—South Water Caye, Glovers Reef, Laughing Bird Caye, and Gladden Spit & Silk Cayes—the project also works toward designating Placencia Lagoon as a conservation area.

By strengthening these ecosystems, the project helps sustain marine biodiversity, reduce climate-related risks, and protect the livelihoods of seven coastal communities. In a time of growing threats from climate change, overfishing, and unregulated coastal development, the Reef Guard Project is preserving a paradise—one reef, one mangrove, and one community at a time.

Participating communities

Dangriga, Hopkins, Riversdale, Maya Beach, Seine Bight, Placencia and Independence

Time frame

2024 to 2019

Executing partners

  • WWF Germany
  • WWF Mesoamerica
  • Southern Environmental Association (SEA)
  • Humana People to People Belize

Government partner

Belize Fisheries Department

Supported by: UNHCR (Logo)

Main participants: 100 p/y
Village/s: 3
Months: 12

Project’s purpose

Enhance the access to essential services, information, opportunities, and basic needs of refugees and asylum seekers

Participating communities

Bella Vista, San Isidro, and Trio

Timeframe

2019 to 2025

Supported by: U.S. Embassy Belize (Logo)

Main participants: 3,000+
Village/s: 7
Months: 24

Project’s purpose

Improve the accessibility and availability of services, information, and opportunities for vulnerable populations by increasing collaboration between district-level service providers

Participating communities

Dangriga, Silk Grass, Independence, Bella Vista, Big Falls, San Pedro Columbia, and Punta Gorda

Timeframe

2021 to 2023

Supported by: European Union (Logo)

Main participants: TBC
Village/s: 10
Months: 40

Overview

From 2017 to 2020, the SeeHR Project worked in 10 communities in the Stann Creek and Toledo districts to improve the overall well-being of the population by enhancing knowledge and awareness of human rights while contributing to ensuring their protection.

Demographics

  • Only a small percentage of human right violations get reported in Belize.
  • Of the incidents reported, most are handled as Negligent or Biased Investigations, Indigenous Land Rights, Prohibited Immigrants, Asylum Seekers and Refugees, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation among others.

Expected Results

The project will promote human rights and social justice with the aim to:

  • Identify vulnerabilities and violations existing in the communities.
  • Build confidence and capacity of individuals who live in constant fear of being abused or violated.
  • Generate empowerment among discriminated and marginalized groups.
  • Give vulnerable groups the opportunity to free themselves from dehumanizing conditions.
  • Allow public authorities, leaders, and the public to alter perceptions that cause discrimination and stigma.

Participants

  • Families: Women, men, youth and children
  • Community leaders and public authorities
  • Vulnerable groups and immigrants

Partners

Technical assistance and support will be provided by:

  • Belize Family Life Association (BFLA)
  • Human Rights Commission of Belize (HRCB)

Healthy lifestyles

We promote healthier communities through practical education, awareness, and everyday actions.

Our approach focuses on prevention—helping people understand nutrition, stay active, and take care of their physical and mental wellbeing. We work with communities, schools, and local partners to share simple, useful knowledge about healthy eating, exercise, and disease prevention.

We also create safe spaces to talk about mental health, reduce stigma, and build emotional resilience. Through community campaigns, workshops, and local activities, we support people in making healthier choices for themselves and their families.

Our projects

Supported by: Social Investment Fund and CDB (Logo)

Main participants: TBC
Village/s: 8
Months: 11

Overview

The project will build the capacity of 120 people in Southern Belize to adopt and support improved health and sanitation practices through enhanced knowledge, skills, and inputs.

The eight participating villages are in the Toledo District and are Santa Rosa, San Roman, Georgetown, Red Bank, San Juan, Cowpen, Trio, and San Isidro villages.

Key activities and deliverables

  • Project beneficiaries will increase their knowledge about health and sanitation via education sessions and the creation of a Community Support Group in each community.
  • Project beneficiaries will expand/enhance health and sanitation infrastructure to enhance their resilience and preparedness to face critical issues that affect them. Based on individual needs, they will learn to build and maintain small-scale infrastructure improvements in their houses. Including but not limited to handwashing facilities, firewood saving stoves, latrines, family garbage collection systems, and water collection systems.
  • Reach the general population with messaging about common diseases, malnutrition, reproductive health, and hygiene via community actions, community artistic engagements, and HPPBZ’s social media platforms.

Supported by: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany (Logo)

Main participants: 865
Village/s: 3
Months: 9

Overview

The project improved the health and well-being of 700 students, 28 teachers and 6 parents from 3 public primary schools as well as 28 women and their families (103 people) in 3 communities in southern Belize:

  • Stann Creek District - Red Bank and Cowpen
  • Toledo District - Indian Creek

The project reached 865 direct and 60,081 indirect beneficiaries.

Objectives

  • Improve nutrition and food security education programs at targeted primary schools.
  • Increase awareness and knowledge of nutrition, food security and related issues for teacher, parent, student and women groups.
  • Increase access and capacity to establish and maintain food security and income generation infrastructure for women's groups.

Key activities and deliverables

The project aimed to promote healthier lifestyle habits among students, teachers, and communities through various initiatives. Students and teachers engage in nutrition, sports, and greenhouse activities. Teachers and parents received workshops to enhance their understanding of nutrition. Women’s groups learned about nutrition and greenhouse management. Community events were held to raise awareness, including guided visits, cleaning actions, and sports days.

Supported by: Australian Aid (Logo)

Main participants: 80
Village/s: 4
Months: 12

Overview

The project targeted four impoverish communities in Toledo district - Indian Creek, Jordan, Santa Teresa, and Aguacate. These communities are active with the Child Aid and Community Development Project.

At the end of the one-year project, 40 girls and 40 mothers improved their knowledge and habits related to reproductive health, sanitation, and nutrition.

The project created 8 clubs and carried out lessons, actions and cooking demonstrations, centered on a monthly topic or headline.

During the weekly meetings, the clubs implemented the following actions:

  • Establishment of 8 common vegetable gardens and 4 greenhouses.
  • Installation of hand-washing facilities outside the greenhouses.
  • Establishment of 4 Moringa nurseries.
  • Construction and management of 4 chicken coops to produce eggs.
  • Community cleaning campaigns for malaria and dengue prevention.
  • Medical checkups with community health workers.
  • Participation in sporting events (football and volleyball)

Supported by: Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany (Logo)

Main participants: 2,915
Village/s: 2
Months: 7

Overview

The German Cooperation - through the Embassy of Germany in Guatemala - funded the "Improved Community Sanitation, Hygiene and Residue Disposal in Santa Rosa and San Roman, Belize" project implemented from June 2018 to December 2018.

The project built 12 waterless-double-chamber composting toilets that:

  • are built build 100% above ground.
  • Create compost or fertilizer from the decomposed toilet contents.
  • Do not use water or flush.
  • have 2 toilet rooms and 2 composting chambers.

Ten toilets were built in different households, and two were built at community centers.

As the result of the project:

  • 10 women and 54 relatives living in the same household in Santa Rosa and San Roman villages in Stann Creek district:/li>
  • Improved their toilet facilities./li>
  • Learnt how to build and maintain composting toilets./li>
  • Improved personal hygiene and hand-washing awareness./li>
  • Added 10 fruit trees to their backyards.

100% of toilet owners reported satisfaction, feeling safer and more dignified with their new toilet facilities

Beneficiaries

  • 2,915 residents from the targeted villages gained access the toilets installed in each community center and 25 trees were added to each property
  • 145 students and 10 teachers increased personal hygiene and hand-washing awareness with education sessions held at the local school
  • 15,000 people at the local and national level were reached with 18 post and videos uploaded in social media

Project Objectives

  • Increase access to improved sanitation and adequate hygiene and residue disposal practices in San Roman and Santa Rosa villages in Stann Creek district, Belize.
  • Improve national awareness and knowledge of proper hygiene and residue disposal practices.

Supported by: Embassy of Switzerland to Mexico and Belize (Logo)

Main participants: 500
Village/s: 1
Months: 8

Overview

The project improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in Red Bank village by:

  • Improving access to adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities in seven households and the village community center, primary school, and health center.
  • Implementing education activities.

The project reached 500 direct and 37,183 indirect beneficiaries

Key activities and deliverables

To improve sanitation infrastructure:

  • Eight dry-double-vault composting toilets with hand-washing stations were be built (seven in the house of women group members and one at the community center).
  • One flush toilet at the health post and the pit latrine at the primary school were repaired by the project.

To increase knowledge on adequate sanitation practices:

  • Toilet owners and other community members actively participated in the construction/repair of the toilet facilities and attended training sessions about their construction/repair, use and maintenance.
  • 37,183 indirect beneficiaries were reached with a post on social media with information about the project and the type of toilets built.

To increase knowledge on WASH:

  • 500 direct beneficiaries - via training sessions and one community event - learnt about: adequate sanitation practices; local and affordable solutions to improved sanitation; the relationship between water, sanitation, hygiene and health.

Sustainable agriculture

We work with farmers to improve food security, increase income, and build resilience to climate change.

We support small-scale farmers to adopt practical, climate-smart techniques that improve productivity while protecting the environment. This includes hands-on training, demonstration plots, and peer learning through farmer groups.

We also help farmers access better inputs, connect to markets, and strengthen their business skills—so they can earn more from their production and create more stable livelihoods for their families.

Our projects

Supported by: CCRIF SPC (Logo)

Main participants: TBC
Village/s: 5
Months: 7

Project’s purpose

To improve health and resilience through awareness, training and action in areas of food production through family organic vegetable gardens, school gardens, and to restore greenhouses

Communities served

  • Santa Rosa, Red Bank and Cowpen in Stann Creek District
  • Bella Vista and Trio in Toledo District

Timeframe

2024 to 2025

Supported by: Embassy of Switzerland to Mexico and Belize (Logo)

Main participants: 40
Village/s: 4
Months: 8

Overview

In Belize, the agriculture sector is known to be vulnerable to changes in temperature, rainfall, sea level, and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which affect the conditions in which crops grow and the suitability of crops, both of which directly affect agricultural productivity. Climate change has severe impacts on the agriculture sector of Belize.

Both scientific and anecdotal evidence gathered from an assessment of Belize’s productive sector already suggests that current climate variations are affecting the agriculture sector with results in inconsistent yields. Belize’s predominantly rain-fed agricultural systems are already experiencing difficulties as changes in rainfall patterns and once predictable amounts of rainfall have introduced uncertainties and unpredictability to local seasonal patterns for planting, harvesting, and storage.

The project worked with 40 direct beneficiaries who had already established backyard gardens with the Child Aid Project.

With this project, the women were trained on:

  • The importance of adequate storage of their harvested vegetables and fruits.
  • Installation, usage and maintenance of silos (a structure for storing bulk materials).
  • Improved processing of their products.

Objectives

Overall objective: To improve storage and processing of agricultural products to reduce postharvest losses in Toledo District, Belize.

Specific objective: Women smallholder farmers in Cowpen, Red Bank, Santa Rosa and San Roman, Stann Creek District, build their capacity to store and process agricultural products.

Environment

We work with communities to protect natural resources and promote sustainable ways of living.

Through education, campaigns, and community initiatives, we raise awareness about environmental issues such as waste management, biodiversity, and climate change. We support local actions like clean-ups, recycling, and conservation activities.

We also help communities take the lead in protecting their environment—whether through restoration efforts, sustainable practices, or participation in local and national environmental discussions.

Our projects

Supported by: Padi Foundation (Logo)

Main participants: TBC
Village/s: 2
Months: -

Phase's purpose

To help reduce plastic waste in residential and natural areas of Belmopan and its surroundings while enhancing knowledge and awareness about environmental sustainability and COVID-19 prevention at the local and national levels.

Key achievements

  • The project won the Change Dah Story Social Innovation Challenge, receiving seed capital, training and mentoring to turn the project into an effective business model.
  • Five youths were mentored to run the project; they became familiar with business plan development, plastic recycling methodologies, community engagement, event organization, accounting, and project overall management practices.
  • A workspace was set up to store, transform, and sell recycled plastics.
  • A shredder, an extrusion machine, and a beam mold were purchased to provide the essential infrastructure for the plastic transformation process.

Participating communities

Belmopan and Santa Cruz villages (2)

Timeframe

May 2020 to February 2022

Supported by: Embassy of Switzerland to Mexico and Belize (Logo)

Main participants: TBC
Village/s: 10
Months: -

Phase's purpose

To help reduce plastic waste in residential and natural areas of Belmopan and its surroundings while enhancing knowledge and awareness about environmental sustainability and COVID-19 prevention at the local and national levels.

Main achievements

  • 18 waste collection bins were installed at key areas (schools, health centers, parks, etc.) to facilitate plastic collection in each participating village.
  • 8 youth groups were created and trained about environmental sustainability (the harms of pollution, plastic alternatives, and plastic transformation) and COVID-19 vaccination and prevention so they could raise awareness and mobilize their communities.
  • 500 students participated in collection, training, and cleaning campaigns.

Participating communities

Belmopan, Armenia, Camalote, Cotton Tree, Ontario, Roaring Creek, Teakettle, Unitedville, Santa Cruz, and Bella Vista (10)

Collection bin locations

Timeframe

March 2022 to November 2022

Supported by: The GEF small grant program, Belize, and UNDP (Logo)

Main participants: TBC
Village/s: 8
Months:

Phase's purpose

To reduce plastic waste in residential and natural areas of Belmopan and its surroundings, while enhancing knowledge and awareness about environmental sustainability and COVID-19 prevention and increasing local production and employment.

Key achievements

  • Set up plastic collection agreements with local stakeholders to help reduce the amount of trash currently present on roads and beaches, improving ecosystem health and touristic appeal.
  • Do door-to-door visits and clean-up rallies to increase the general public's awareness and knowledge about plastic and the environment.
  • Further develop the project's workspace to store, transform, and sell recycled plastics.

Participating communities

Belmopan, Armenia, Camalote, Cotton Tree, Ontario, Roaring Creek, Teakettle, and Unitedville (8)

Collection bin locations

Timeframe

March 2022 to December 2023

Supported by: Belize Fund For A Sustainable Future, The GEF Small Grant Program, UNDP (Logo)

Main participants: 150
Village/s: 10
Months: 27

Phase's purpose

Enhance marine biodiversity and ecosystems by empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to mitigate plastic waste pollution

Key achievements

  • Establish and train a Biodiversity Guardians Network to educate community members on strategies for reusing, recycling, and reorienting various forms of plastic, facilitated through comprehensive capacity-building efforts.
  • Manufacturing and distributing plastic collection bins within target areas to facilitate plastic waste collection. These bins will be regularly emptied and transported to a workstation where the plastic will undergo transformation into functional items that will be sold through a substantial marketing strategy.

Participating communities

  • Belmopan, Armenia, Camalote, Cotton Tree, Ontario, Roaring Creek, Teakettle, and Unitedville in Cayo District (8)
  • Riversdale and Seine Bight in Stann Creek District (2)

Collection bin locations

Timeframe

2024 to 2026

Affordable and clean energy

We promote access to clean, affordable energy solutions that improve daily life and support sustainable development.

Our work includes raising awareness about renewable energy, demonstrating practical solutions, and building local skills for installation and maintenance. We support communities to understand how clean energy can reduce costs, improve living conditions, and protect the environment.

By working with partners and communities, we help make renewable energy more accessible and encourage its adoption in homes, schools, and local enterprises.

Our projects

Supported by: Embassy of the Czech Republic in Mexico (Logo)

Main participants: 617
Village/s: 5
Months: 7

Overview

The project helped reduce inequalities and support rural development by providing 150 low-income families with:

  • Access to clean and affordable solar-powered energy via the delivery of Mobile Solar-Powered Supply Units.
  • Complementary education about the operation and care of the units is provided.
  • An overview of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The project was implemented in 5 villages: Cowpen, Bella Vista, San Isidro, Trio and San Pablo

Key activities and deliverables

  • 617 people in 150 households gained access to a small Mobile Solar-Powered Supply Unit.
  • A representative of each household participated in a training session centered on the SDGs, solar power, and the units' use.
  • 101,908 people were reached on social media with project-related messages

Supported by: Czech Republic (Logo)

Main participants: 500
Village/s: 3
Months: 8

Overview

The project helped reduce inequalities and support rural development by providing 110 low-income families with:

  • Access to clean and affordable solar-powered energy via the delivery of Mobile Solar-Powered Supply Units.
  • Complementary education about the operation and care of the units is provided.
  • An overview of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The project was implemented in 3 villages: Aguacate, Santa Theresa and Jordan

Key activities and deliverables

  • 110 households gained access to a small Mobile Solar-Powered Supply Unit. A representative of each household participated in a training session centered on the SDGs, solar power, and the units' installation, usage, and maintenance.
  • The participating families did community actions to protect their surrounding ecosystems by placing awareness signs and planting fruit trees.
  • More than 70,000 people were reached on social media with project-related messages.

Supported by: Embassy of Germany (Logo)

Main participants: 51 families
Village/s: 2
Months: 9

Overview

The project helped reduce deforestation rates and improve family health by increasing people’s capacity to make energy-saving stoves, cook healthier meals, and care for the environment.

Participating villages: Bella Vista and Trio in the Toledo District.

Key activities and deliverables

  • 51 families gained access to an energy-saving stove and learned how to build them. A representative of each household participated in educational sessions centered on cooking healthy meals, healthy habits, and environmental topics.
  • Two schools acquired a cooking area with two energy-saving stoves and a cooking set to strengthen their feeding program.
  • 70,591 people at the local and national levels were reached via social media with project-related messaging.

Supported by: European Union (Logo)

Main participants: 157
Village/s: 3
Months: 22

Project’s purpose

To improve economic and social development by increasing the access to and use of renewable energy in the Toledo District, Belize

Participating villages: Bella Vista and Trio in the Toledo District.

Participating communities

Mabilha, San Lucas, and Otoxha

Timeframe

2022 to 2023

Disaster risk reduction & disaster management

We support communities to be better prepared for disasters and more resilient in times of crisis.

This includes training people in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, as well as supporting community-led planning and coordination. We help establish early warning systems and improve communication so communities can respond quickly when risks arise.

We also work with communities to reduce long-term risks—through better infrastructure, local planning, and nature-based solutions that strengthen resilience.

Our projects

Supported by: Canada, EU, CDB (Logo)

Main participants: 279
Village/s: 10
Months: 31

Overview

The project aimed to improve the resilience of 10 communities through the improvement of physical infrastructure and early warning systems; the development of public education and awareness actions, and the implementation of climate-smart agricultural farming systems.

Participating communities in the Toledo District: Bella Vista, Bladen, Blue Creek, Corazon Creek, Golden Stream, Indian Creek, Jordan, San Benito Poite, Santa Anna, Santa Teresa, and Trio.

Objectives

  • Improved physical structure and early warning systems for reduced risk to natural hazards.
  • Improve the agricultural farming systems resilient to climate change impacts using the farmer’s club model.
  • Public education and awareness about climate change and disaster risk reduction have improved.

Beneficiaries

Primary (direct) Beneficiaries

  • 180 farmers (20 women and 160 men) as the primary beneficiaries
  • 22 River Keepers. 5 Radio Operators
  • 77 Village Emergency Committees (VECs) / Community Disaster Response Team (CDRT) members

Secondary (indirect) Beneficiaries

Approximately 8,000 residents (4,160 females and 3,840 males) in 11 villages Stann Creek and Toledo districts

Supported by: The Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facility (Logo)

Main participants: 120
Village/s: 7
Months: 18

Overview

Through training and technical assistance, 120 farmers will learn improved agricultural methods related to climate change adaptation. Awareness-raising sessions of the project will be open to the public and will reach 500 community members.

The project will take place in 7 communities: Bella Vista, Trio, Indian Creek, Corazon, Blue Creek, Jordan, and Santa Teresa

It's expected that 620 people will benefit directly from the project.

Objectives

  • Increase the resilience of Belizean farmers to climate change.
  • Increase farmers’ capacity to reduce the effects of climate change on crops in the Toledo District.

Key activities and deliverables

To provide products, services and tools responsive to the needs of the members the project will:

  • Offer ideas for low-cost solutions, introduce low-tech farming methods, and provide financial support systems to alter the process of economic development.
  • Facilitate training sessions on small business management to teach farmers to be efficient in food production, to create surplus and to sell the produce;
  • Improve access to productive resources and services and create economic opportunities for small farmers, women and young farmers, and indigenous people, particularly in poor, marginal areas.
  • Contribute to productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of national agriculture to create substantial improvement in the quality of life of the rural poor and the well-being of the citizens in general.
  • Promote market and trade expansion locally and nationally and diversification of local agriculture.
  • Promote value-adding as a means of expanding opportunities and increasing the income of the rural sector.

To enhance capacity for disaster risk management and climate change adaptation the project will:

  • Facilitate training sessions on climate change adaptation and environmental management.
  • Organize small farmers to join forces and resources together, to further the agricultural production of each farmer to enable them to improve their living standard.
  • Improve the overall living conditions of farmer families in nutrition, health, disease prevention, and sanitation.
  • Support the establishment and development of organic agriculture.
  • Improve and conserve the natural and productive resource base to ensure long-term sustainable productivity and viability.

Supported by: Inter-American Foundation (Logo)

Main participants: TBC
Village/s: 3
Months: 24

Project’s Purpose

To increase preparedness, response, readiness and resilience – with emphasis on agriculture – to reduce the effects of natural disasters through capacity, awareness, readiness, and resilience building

Participating communities

Dolores, Otoxha, and San Lucas

Timeframe

2023 to 2025

Supported by: U.S. Embassy Belize (Logo)

Main participants: TBC
Village/s: 30
Months: 28

Overview

From 2018 to 2020, HPPB - in partnership with the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) - will upgrade the Hurricane Plan to a Multi-Hazard Operation Plan and provide training and supplies to strengthen response to natural disasters in southern Belize.

The project will also improve training curricula for early warning systems; strengthen Village Emergency Committees; and conduct a nationwide awareness campaign.

The project is implemented in 30 villages: Aguacate, Barranco, Bladen, Blue Creek, Corazon Creek, Crique Sarco, Dangriga Town, Galespoint, Graham Creek, Hope Creek, Hopkins, Jordan, Mabilha, Machakil Ha, Monkey River, Mullins River, Placencia, Punta Gorda, Punta Negra, Red Bank, San Benito Poite, San Jose, San Juan/ Cowpen, San Lucas, Santa Ana, Santa Theresa, Sarawee, Seine Bight, Sittee River and Trio.

Objectives

  • Provide supplies and materials necessary for disaster response to selected communities.
  • Strengthen community-based governance and response systems related to natural disasters.
  • Strengthen the accountability of the government disaster response.

Supported by: Motorola Solutions Foundation (Logo)

Main participants: 237
Village/s: 30
Months: 12

Overview

The project provided emergency responders and community members with training, information materials, and first aid supplies to better respond to environmental disasters and built on the project Strengthen emergency and disaster response in vulnerable communities.

The project was implemented in 30 villages: Aguacate, Barranco, Bladen, Blue Creek, Corazon Creek, Crique Sarco, Dangriga Town, Galespoint, Graham Creek, Hope Creek, Hopkins, Jordan, Mabilha, Machakil Ha, Monkey River, Mullins River, Placencia, Punta Gorda, Punta Negra, Red Bank, San Benito Poite, San Jose, San Juan/ Cowpen, San Lucas, Santa Ana, Santa Theresa, Sarawee, Seine Bight, Sittee River, and Trio.

Key activities and deliverables

  • 237 people were trained by NEMO in Village Emergency and Home Safety. The training's informational materials were created in collaboration with the University of Belize, and, after the sessions, participants shared the knowledge acquired with other community members.
  • 30 people were trained and certified in First Aid by the Belize Red Cross. As part of the first aid-kit replenishment actions, each community received Hypertension monitoring equipment, which participants started using to teach others how to check their hypertension levels. At the end of the project, various attendants reported an improved capacity to deal with small first aid incidents and increased local demand for their assistance.

Social entrepreneurship

We support small businesses and social enterprises that create both economic and community impact.

Our work focuses on helping entrepreneurs build strong, sustainable businesses through training, mentorship, and access to finance. We support people in improving their business skills, managing finances, and reaching new markets.

At the same time, we strengthen social enterprises that generate income while contributing to community development—helping ensure long-term sustainability for both individuals and the organization.

Our projects

Supported by: Planet Aid, HUMANA Fundacion Pueblo para Pueblo, The Public Establishment Humana People to People Baltic (Logo)

Main participants: 1,000 families p/y
Village/s: 30
Months: on-going

Overview

The program collaborates with the residents of Stann Creek and Toledo districts to combat poverty and ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their maximum potential.

Lines of Action

To attain sustainable grassroots development, the program focuses its activities and subprojects on the following areas of action:

  1. Improve the income of the family
  2. Health including nutrition, sanitation, HIV/ AIDS
  3. Pre-schools
  4. Children are active in society
  5. Children in difficult situations
  6. Education
  7. Environment
  8. District development
  9. Culture and Communication
  10. Farmers Club

Participants

The project directly benefits families belonging to vulnerable groups in marginalized rural communities in Toledo and Stann Creek districts, encompassing immigrants, farmers, women, youth, and indigenous communities. This includes community leaders and local public authorities.

Supported by:

Main participants: n/a
Village/s: 4
Months: on-going

Project’s purpose

To fundraise funds for HPPBZ’s community development projects while increasing ecosystem health and entrepreneurship development through used clothing sales

Communities served

Bella Vista, Dangriga, Mango Creek / Independence, Placencia, and Santa Cruz

Timeframe

2008 to present