Project Detail

Local Management of Blue Economy Resources for Sustainable Livelihoods

Placencia is one of several thriving unique tourism destinations in Belize that has experienced rapid economic growth over the years. Generally, there is a positive perception of the community?s growth; however, locally there are several issues that the community faces. In stakeholder discussions, it was agreed that poor participation of local stakeholders in resource management is the main problem in the community. This problem has resulted in several other issues that also affect the community.

The project aims to address the main problem and several other issues by contributing to an effective protected areas system in Belize. Specifically, the project will improve local stewardship in the management of blue economy resources for sustainable livelihoods. This will be done by building the capacity of the PTGCSL in order to facilitate legal income-generating opportunities for its members and the broader community. There are three objectives of the project:
? Objective 1 ? Functional and Viable Pro Biodiversity Tour Operating Business Established.
? Objective 2 ? Local marine tourism excursions are operational.
? Objective 3 ? Relationship with Blue Economy Resources Managers established and improved.

The project contributes to the Blue Economy Programme of the GEF SGP under the following theme and activities:

? Nature-based Tourism
? Pilot and test community-managed eco-tourism initiatives.
? Capacity Development in nature-based tourism.

The Placencia Tour Guide Cooperative Society Limited (PTGCSL) will implement the project. This Cooperative was registered in June 2014 and is comprised of 14 members from Placencia Village.

The project is expected to cost BZ $215,162.00 of which BZ$100,000.00 is being requested from GEF SGP. Co-financing will be provided by PTGCSL (BZ$70,962.00) and Southern Tourism Alliance (BZ$44,200.00).

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Placencia Tour Guide Cooperative Society Ltd

Country:

Belize

Area Of Work:

International Waters

Operational Phase:

OP6 - Y5 (Jul 19-Jun 20)

Grant Amount:

US$ 50,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 55,481.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 24,200.00

Project Number:

BZE/SGP/OP6/Y5/CORE/IWBE/2020/01

Start Date:

4/2020

End Date:

12/2023

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Gender Focus

A rapid gender analysis was carried out as part of the situational analysis during project design. Currently, there are no female members of the PTGSCL. In fact, there are very few females tour guides from southeastern Belize as the profession is male-dominated. Absence of female tour guides is mainly as a result of many females still primarily seeking work in the more traditional female tourism roles like waitressing, housekeeping, and other areas within the hotel sector. Many females also become responsible for the homes and take care of the children instead of seeking employment. Efforts will be made to include female tour guides where they exist as part of the PTGSCL policy for this project. Males traditionally have had greater access to income-generating opportunities in tour guiding because they were always the target for training through development agencies in the past. As fishermen, they benefitted from alternative livelihood initiatives that allowed them to develop their tour guiding skills and in some cases retrofitting existing fishing vessel to carry tours. Both within the tourism population and in the broader community, men have greater access and control of economic and political resources than women. As part of PTGSCL policy guidelines on this project, women will be included wherever they can be.

Project sustainability

As it relates to sustainability, the project was designed as an investment that will generate an economic return resulting in positive environmental, social, and financial impacts. The tourism enterprise is a pro biodiversity business that depends on having an intact environmental product. Therefore, in order for tour guides to accrue optimal benefits from the business, they have to become stewards of the resources. As such, project sustainability is contingent upon benefits to both the marine resources and community (tour guides).

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 by the PTGCSL thus far. The organization and its stakeholders would greatly benefit from more far-reaching educational awareness and socio-economic opportunities as it relates to access to and sustainable use of the marine resources within their immediate environment. This project also highlighted the need for an aggressive campaign to promote and even incentivize women and youth, to engage in environmental awareness and entrepreneurial pursuits to empower themselves while simultaneously preserving their environment. This could ultimately contribute immensely to positive socioeconomic impacts within Placencia and surrounding areas.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

Lessons learned and good practices will be documented via progress reports. This information, along with pictures and videos capturing the work of the PTGCSL will be compiled and used to develop a video documentary of the Cooperative. The documentary will highlight the work of the Cooperative and will be used as part of its marketing campaign. Access will be made available through a website to be developed and at the Cooperative?s office in Placencia.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

Specialized training in the sustainable use of marine resources will be developed and conducted by SEA that targets PTGCSL members and tour guides. The training will introduce and focus on the concept of the Blue Economy. Blue economy refers to an idea that seeks to promote economic growth, social inclusion and the preservation and improvement of livelihoods, while at the same time ensuring the environmental sustainability of the seas/oceans.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The objective of this component is to publicize project achievements through public awareness among PTGCSL and community members. The communication of results will be linked closely with the membership and environmental education outreach. Specifically, PTGCSL will make presentations in Placencia and the surrounding communities to promote the tour operator business and the Blue Economy concept. As these meetings are conducted, PTGCSL will take the opportunity to highlight the project?s achievements while ensuring that it mentions the connection between the project activities and the goal of the GEF SGP, which is to? conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people's well-being and livelihoods?. In terms of sustainability, the project is designed as an investment that will generate an economic return resulting in positive environmental, social, and financial impacts. The tourism enterprise is a pro biodiversity business that depends on having an intact environmental product. Therefore, in order for tour guides to accrue optimal benefits from the business, they have to become stewards of the resources. As such, project sustainability is contingent upon benefits to both the marine resources and community (tour guides).

Capacity - Building Component

The project aims to address the main problem and several other issues by contributing to an effective protected areas system in Belize. Specifically, the project will improve local stewardship in the management of blue economy resources for sustainable livelihoods. This will be done by building the capacity of the PTGCSL in order to facilitate legal income-generating opportunities for its members and the broader community. There are three objectives of the project: ? Objective 1 ? Functional and Viable Pro Biodiversity Tour Operating Business Established. ? Objective 2 ? Local marine tourism excursions are operational. ? Objective 3 ? Relationship with Blue Economy Resources Managers established and improved.

Policy Influence

The project did not influence policy per say, however, the new Government established a Ministry of Blue Economy to coordinate and prioritize sustainable blue economy policy actions and coherence.

Notable Community Participation

Youth engagement will be done primarily through SEA?s education outreach. In addition, the PTGCSL will select some youth leaders from the community to participate in the soft skills training and will target youth tour guides, similar to women tour guides, to be a part of its business initiative.

Project Results

Placencia Tour Guide Cooperative Society Limited has a functional office space for operations. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Southern Environmental Association to enhance local marine tourism excursions. Capacity building for PTGCSL member was established including introduction to the Blue Economy.

The PTGCSL received their tour operators license for operation, they are now be able to engage in entrepreneurial pursuits that will enable them to generate meaningful income that will be beneficial for them, their families and by extension the local economy. This falls in line with PTGCSL?s mission to establish a pro biodiversity tour operating business that would facilitate tours for its members and other local tour guides. Local tour guides can now legally benefit from the tourism sector, and at the same time, tourists are reassured knowing that their tours are legal and within standards.

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Indicators

Empowerment

Number of women participated / involved in SGP project 15

Livehood

Number of individuals (gender diaggregated) who have benefited* from SGP project 15

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