Posted: Thursday, September 11, 2025. 1:22 pm CST.
By Zoila Palma: Today, the 13 beneficiary co-operatives of the Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods, Building Resilience-Investments in Co-operatives Project are participating in a Project Evaluation and Validation Workshop in Belmopan.
The project, funded by GEF Small Grants Programme – United Nations Development Programme, has had implementation by Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology (BEST) and the Department of Co-operatives.
The workshop included remarks from Michael Lund, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Belize, and Leonel Requena, National Coordinator, GEF Small Grants Programme, UNDP. The workshop was facilitated by Gonzalo Castillo, Consultant.
The project commenced following approval in August, 2023, and closed activities this past July. Its’ goal was to promote sustainable livelihoods and increase the production of thirteen (13) cooperatives through environmentally friendly initiatives and allow them to become more sustainable and contribute to much needed food security for Belize. Its’ objectives were as follows:
- Thirteen (13) cooperatives improve and expand their enterprises through capital investment in environmentally friendly small development projects.
- Thirteen (13) cooperatives income increase by 50% if compared to the peak of the Covid19 Pandemic.
- Improve the management and leadership capacity of 130 cooperative members through training in entrepreneurship, leadership, organizational development, gender equality and women empowerment.
- Renew and improve the governance structures (inclusion of women and youth within the management of these cooperatives).
Total budget was BZ$644,000 with BZ$300,000 from the donor for direct investments in equipment and materials and the remainder in technical support from the implementers and in-kind contributions from the beneficiaries.
The Department of Co-operatives looks forward to continuing the collaboration with GEF-SGP UNDP and BEST in support of small producer co-operatives.
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The post Beneficiary cooperatives of Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods, Building Resilience-Investments in Co-operatives Project participate in project evaluation workshop appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, September 11, 2025. 1:22 pm CST. By Zoila Palma: Today, the 13 beneficiary co-operatives of the Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods, Building Resilience-Investments in Co-operatives Project
The post Beneficiary cooperatives of Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods, Building Resilience-Investments in Co-operatives Project participate in project evaluation workshop appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.