Enhancing Indigenous Stewardship of the Elijio Panti National Park
Enhancing Indigenous Stewardship of the Elijio Panti National Park
The goal of the project is in line with our five-year management plan prepared in 2021 The goal is to strengthen the administrative and operational capacity of Itzamna Society to manage the Elijio Panti National Park effectively. This goal will be achieved by investing in key activities to enhance administrative and operational functions as a co-manager. The Itzamna Society also seeks to build its financial position for its conservation endeavors. Itzamna plans to accomplish this by promoting ecotourism activities that focus on sustainability within the park and improving the visitor center's infrastructure, thus enhancing the visitor?s experience. The revenue generated from these activities will be allocated to park maintenance and equipment. The Itzamna Society can assure the long-term viability of its conservation projects and significantly contribute to environmental preservation by regularly collecting entrance fees from an increased number of tourists, and by regularly securing additional grant funding.

Objectives:
1. Strengthening administrative and operational capacity of Itzamna Society to effectively manage and monitor the Elijio Panti National Park by the end of 2025.
2. Enhancing the Elijio Panti National Park as an eco-tourism destination by increasing visitation by 20% by the end of the project.
3. Empowering three Indigenous communities in protected areas management by preserving their Yucatec Maya culture with cultural preservation initiative.
 
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Project Snapshot

Grantee:
Itzamna Society
Country:
Belize
Area Of Work:
Biodiversity
Grant Amount:
US$ 50,000.00
Co-Financing Cash:
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 73,870.00
Project Number:
BZE/SGP/OP7/Y4/CORE/BD/2024/01
Status:
Currently under execution
Project Characteristics and Results
Policy Impact
Expected Results: 1. Enhanced administrative and operational capacity, including strengthened governance structures, improved operational efficiency, enabling better decision-making processes, inclusive leadership, and effective natural resources management. 2. The implementation of sustainable eco-tourism initiatives is anticipated to serve as a reliable source of revenue for the Itzamna Society, thereby contributing to the organization's overall financial stability. 3. Revitalization of the Yucatec Maya Language within Indigenous communities, achieved through heightened awareness of proficient language usage, resulting from ongoing sensitization. Twenty students will be empowered and trained in the Yucatec Maya language enabling long term preservation of this Indigenous language for future generations.
Gender Focus
In these indigenous communities, the men would control the leadership and decision-making. In this case, the Itzamna Society engages women in many project execution processes. There has been a transformation in the leadership of the communities where the leadership has the participation of women. Women will be involved in the decision-making and execution of the project.
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Indicators
Biophysical
Hectares of globally significant biodiversity area protected or sustainably managed by project 14571
Empowerment
Number of indigenous people participated/involved in SGP project 50

SGP Country office contact

Mr. Leonel Requena
Phone:
(501) 822-2462
Email:
Esther Calles
Email:

Address

2nd Floor, David L. McKoy Business Center, Bliss Parade, P.O. Box 53
Belmopan, Central America