BELTRAIDE Partners with IICA to Boost Sustainable Livelihoods in Belize

The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) has partnered with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to advance a major sustainable livelihood initiative aimed at strengthening climate resilience and economic opportunities for Belizean communities.

As part of Component 2 of the Sustainable Livelihood Project, BELTRAIDE has been allocated BZD 744,500 to support the growth of nature-based enterprises. The funding will provide five community groups with business development training, technical assistance, and expanded market access to promote sustainable economic activities. This initiative aligns with Belize’s national strategy for climate resilience and sustainable development, particularly for communities dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods.

A key milestone in this collaboration was a meeting on February 27, 2025, between BELTRAIDE’s Executive Director, Ishmael Quiroz, and IICA’s Representative in Belize, Mauricio Guevara, to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU will formalise BELTRAIDE’s role in the project, ensuring structured support for community-based enterprises.

The project is financed by the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) through the Adaptation Fund’s Enhanced Direct Access initiative. It forms part of the Building Community Resilience via Transformative Adaptation project, which seeks to mitigate the impacts of climate threats such as droughts, water scarcity, floods, and wildfires.