Protected Areas Conservation Trust Hosts Stakeholder Workshop to Support Green Climate Fund Accreditation

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) recently hosted a stakeholder consultation workshop aimed at developing a Grant Award Mechanism for the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF). The workshop, funded by the Green Climate Fund under the Readiness and Preparatory Support grant, brought together key participants to provide input and feedback on PACT's strategies and initiatives.

The project seeks to support BSIF with targeted institutional strengthening to help them pursue accreditation to the Green Climate Fund and support resource mobilization and climate response efforts in Belize.

By engaging representatives from various government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community groups, PACT aims to ensure that its efforts align with the needs and priorities of those involved in the management and protection of Belize's natural resources and protected areas.

In addition to the stakeholder consultation workshop, the UK government's Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) has been working closely with the Belize government and other organizations to provide technical assistance and funding to support Belize's marine conservation ambitions at a Marine Protected Area (MPA) network level. The OCPP team has completed a comprehensive review of the National Protected Area System-Management Effectiveness Evaluation (NPAS-MEE) and site-level assessments, funding a Belizean organization, Wildtracks, to complete site-level NPAS-MEE assessments on 14 of Belize's MPAs.

To ensure its MPAs meet global best practices, Belize has set a goal to begin the Green Listing process for at least three of its MPAs. The OCPP has contracted the IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas team to provide support to Belize in this process. Furthermore, the OCPP team is conducting a critical, independent review of the Managed Access Programme and exploring how new technology could support the enforcement of fisheries management.

The OCPP has also reviewed the data collected within Belize's MPAs to support the streamlining of data collection, analysis, and use of indicators and thresholds to report on the condition of marine habitats and species. Moving forward, the OCPP team will continue to support Belize at an MPA network level, identifying key indicators and thresholds for protected habitats, species, and threats facing MPAs, while providing support to ensure selected MPAs are ready to formally enter the Green Listing process.

The collaborative efforts of PACT, the UK government's OCPP, and various participants demonstrate a strong commitment to strengthening the management and conservation of Belize's protected areas and marine resources. By engaging in consultative processes, pursuing international accreditation, and leveraging technical assistance and funding, Belize is taking significant steps towards achieving its environmental conservation goals and ensuring the long-term sustainability of its natural heritage.

Key Takeaways

• PACT hosted a stakeholder workshop to develop a grant mechanism for Belize's Social Investment Fund.
• The project aims to help BSIF pursue Green Climate Fund accreditation and support climate response efforts.
• UK's OCPP is providing technical assistance and funding to support Belize's marine conservation goals.
• Belize aims to begin the Green Listing process for at least 3 of its Marine Protected Areas.
• Collaborative efforts aim to strengthen management and conservation of Belize's protected areas and resources.