Project Detail

Empowerment of the National Garifuna Council Towards Landscape and Seascape Stewardship

The goal of the project is to empower the National Garifuna Council and its 12 branches to facilitate an educational and awareness campaign regarding Garifuna rights to indigenous landscapes and seascapes as a critical element to their identity and safeguarding its cultural domain. Furthermore, the project will facilitate a national level review and analysis of Garifuna ?territories of life? with respective community mapping efforts and assess legal options for re-dress in conformity with national policies, laws and international instruments such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples article 43.

It is expected that through this engagement the council will have relevant landscape and seascape dat a to inform decision-making and foster enhanced cohesion of Garinagu communities in Belize. These communities have affirmed their right to landscape and seascape resources since their livelihoods have been fishing and farming in the past as set by their ancestors. Strengthenign of land tenure will empower the Garinagu people into traditional entrepreneurial ventures such as the production of cassava (Manihot esculenta) for consumption and commercialization to improve the land users? quality of life. In addition to cassava as a staple food, Garinagu also consume and used plantains, marine resources, bananas, coconut and other products in their balance diet. Preserving and maintaining their ancestral traditions (Food, dance, language, clothing, religious belief, Cosmovision) is parmount. This project is aligned to the ICCA-GSI Country Programme Strategy developed for Belize. This project contributes to towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals #15 Life on Land and #14 Life Below Water respectively.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

National Garifuna Council

Country:

Belize

Area Of Work:

CapDev

Operational Phase:

OP6 - Y5 (Jul 19-Jun 20)

Grant Amount:

US$ 50,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 2,500.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 47,500.00

Project Number:

BZE/ICCA-GSI/2019/02

Start Date:

10/2019

End Date:

11/2022

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Gender Focus

A gender mainstreaming balanced approach will be utilized.

Replication of project activities

Based on the favorable outcomes in relation to the project, there is now great potential to further expand and build on the work that has been done in the Garifuna communities thus far. The communities would greatly benefit from more far-reaching educational awareness as it relates to Garifuna communities? access to and sustainable use of the terrestrial and marine resources within their immediate environment. This project also highlighted the need for an aggressive campaign to promote and even incentivize Garifuna community members, particularly the children and youth, to engage in sustainable agriculture and develop a deep appreciation for food security and food sovereignty. This could ultimately contribute immensely to positive socioeconomic impacts within the respective Garifuna communities.

Linkages gef projects

N/A

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

NGC as the umbrella organization representing Garinagu rights and interests, fosters communication with all is branches. The relevant branches will be involved and participate in project implementation as relevant and required to meet the expected outcomes. Furthermore, NGC will enhance communication via radio shows, international and regional events to foster solidarity and network with other organizations with similar goals and objectives. The M&E plan will inform regular project steering committee meetings and achievement of milestones.

Planning gef grant

NGC will seek partnerships to scale up to larger GEF investments.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

National Garifuna Council has twelve (12) branches throughout the country. They have their own executive led by a president and are also represented on the board at national level. Participation in the project will be ensured through the respective delegate from the branches on the board.

Planning non gef grant

National Garifuna Council is leveraging donor partnerships to sustain its efforts. National Garifuna Council is serving as Intermediary Partner Organization for the Belize National Indigenous Council to upscale national IP efforts.

Notable Community Participation

One of the primary objectives of the NGC is youth empowerment, therefore NGC will aim to empower youth and allow them to participate in the development and preservation of the Garifuna culture and their identity.

Project sustainability

The NGC Board of Directors and communities were involved in the project from its inception, hence, there is an increase sense of ownership and responsibility for safeguarding the remaining land within the Garinagu communities. NGC is mobilizing additional resources to sustain project outcomes.

Capacity - Building Component

The National Garifuna Council is a non-governmental organization founded in 1981 and was registered at the Company?s Registry in 1987. It is a community-based organization serving Garinagu who are one of the Indigenous groups in Belize. Approximately 5% of Belize?s population is made up of Garinagu. There 6 Garifuna communities in Southern Belize, namely: Dangriga, Hopkins, Seine Bight, Gerogetown Punta Gorda and Barranco. However, Garinagu can be found throughout the country as they leave their community in search of a livelihood. The Mission of the Council is to advocate for and secure the rights, development, and culture of the Garifuna in Belize, while promoting economic sustainability, interracial harmony and maintaining traditional respect for the preservation of the environment. It is also to preserve, strengthen and develop the Garifuna culture as well as promote economic development of its people. The organization has been in existence for the past three decade, and has shown relevance from its inception until now, by continuing with it its cultural preservation and Protection of the food, dances, clothing, spirituality and language in harmony with the natural environment.

Policy Influence

The project enabled enhanced dialogue between the National Garifuna Council and the Government of Belize resulting in a revised Memorandum of Understanding signed implementation framework and action plan.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The project will enhance the knowledge of Garinagu on land rights through the workshops that will be held in each of the branch communities. This knowledge will enable them to be better equipped to support NGC leadership in its discussion with government on Garifuna land rights. Social media and videos including support from Artists will be key channels for Knowledge Management efforts.

Project Results

Actual Outcomes
Empowered NGC and its branches implemented educational campaign to affirm its indigenous rights and identity.
Enhanced social cohesion with Garifuna communities advocating for their rights by 30% (pre-post assessments)
Education and Awareness Report with recommendations internalized and mainstreamed by NGC
Garifuna and government dialogues regarding implementation of Memorandum of Agreement
Record of dialogues and outcome reports
Negotiated and updated Memorandum of Agreement with agreed implementation framework and action plan
Revised MOU signed Implementation framework and action plan signed.
A national level legal review and analysis of laws, policies and international instruments pertinent to Garifuna rights to landscape and seascape resources as a Consultation and scoping exercise conducted at national level TOR developed and advertised Expert Team contracted; Report available
Legal Review Report
Expert Team and consultative baseline assessment; legal review conducted as a basis for safeguarding, asserting, and mapping of Garifuna rights in conformity with national and international protocols. Draft Garifuna Strategy and Action Plan- Strategy and action plan completed.
Resource Mobilization and Partnerships secured. Resource mobilization secured, letters of partnerships; 30% increase in donor funding
Completed
Designation, recognition of traditional Garifuna territories safeguards for future generations
Mapping Report Zoning of territories; National Map of Garifuna Landscapes and Seascapes legally recognized
Completed

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Indicators

Empowerment

Number of CBOs / NGOs participated / involved in SGP project 3

Empowerment

Number of indigenous people participated/involved in SGP project 2000

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