Safeguards for Resilient Bold Belize & Strengthening ecological and livelihood resilience in the Southern Belize Reef Complex projects

Our team was key in the 'Strengthening Ecological and Livelihood Resilience in the Southern Belize Reef Complex' project, funded by the Blue Action Fund and managed by WWF. We assessed how efforts to conserve marine and coastal protected areas affected the environment and local communities, with special attention to gender dynamics, cultural heritage, and indigenous peoples.

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Our research approach involved a comprehensive document review of legal frameworks and existing research, conducting focus groups and surveys conducted in seven project communities, interviews with key actors to explore project risks, impacts, mitigation strategies, and data analysis using Excel and Python for quantitative data and Atlas.TI for qualitative data.

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This work resulted in the development of key documents:

• Environmental and Social Management Framework 

• Gender Assessment 

• Gender Action Plan

• Stakeholder Engagement Plan

• Environmental and Social Code of Practice (ESCOP)

• Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) Protocol

• ​Grievance Mechanism

 

This initiative addresses a critical conservation gap by strengthening the management of three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), providing sustainable livelihood opportunities, and restoring mangroves and key coastal ecosystems.