[Regional] Great Forests of Mesoamerica Program
© Unión Europea, 2024
Context: Although Mesoamerica's biodiversity hotspots cover less than 0.5% of the planet's land area, they contain between 7% and 10% of all known life forms, including 17% of all terrestrial species. It is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world but is highly exposed and vulnerable to climate change. The Great Forests of Mesoamerica cover an area of approximately 120,500 km2 and help to slow climate change by preserving human and wildlife.
Objective: To improve the protection and sustainable use of the Great Forests of Mesoamerica and other relevant forest areas (the Maya Forest, Trifinio, La Mosquitia, Indio Maíz-Tortuguero, La Amistad, and Darién) through four specific components: 1. data and transparency for decision-making; 2. forest governance; 3. sustainable production and trade with conservation and biodiversity; and 4. environmental rights and forest defense.
Duration: 2023–2027
Countries: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Total Budget: €25.5 million
Funding Instrument: DeSIRA Program
Implementing Agencies: AECID (Spain), Expertise France (France), GIZ (Germany), and SIDA (Sweden)
| Project |
Objetive | Duration | Implementation | Countries | Forests | Communities | EU funding | Expected results |
| DATA&Coffee (Knowledge Generation and Data Governance for Coffee Traceability in the Panama Canal Watershed) | Strengthening data governance and traceability in the coffee value chain in the Panama Canal Watershed (PCW), promoting environmental sustainability, social inclusion and access to national and international markets with deforestation-free criteria | 24 months | NATURA Foundation | Panama | Darien | Sub-basins of the Cirí Grande and Trinidad rivers (West Panama Province), as well as in the Gatún Lake sub-basin (Colón Province) | 391,024 EUR | - Training in traceability and data management - Development of an open-source pilot data portal - Public-private partnerships for data governance - Value-added coffee packaging - Technical and digital strengthening for coffee organisations and producers |
| Connecting Sustainable Livestock Farming with the Market and Consumers for the Conservation of the Forest Landscape in Darién | The processes of traceability, registration and certification of farms under Sustainable Livestock Farming have been strengthened, while their coverage is being promoted and monitored to ensure compliance with zero deforestation, and progress is being made in the marketing and commercialisation of products from these sustainable production systems. | 24 months | National Association for Nature Conservation (ANCON) | Panama | Darien | Panama, Darien region, around the Filo del Tallo Canglón Hydrological Reserve in the Districts of Santa Fe, Metetí and Yaviza | 240,000 EUR | - Actions are being developed to strengthen livestock farms using silvopastoral systems. - The process of strengthening the capacities of beneficiaries continues with support from MIDA technicians. - Compliance with zero deforestation is being monitored on beneficiary farms that are registered or in the process of registration, using Geographic Information Systems and daily Planet-Scope imagery. |
| Development of Collaborative Networks for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of GBM | To contribute to the conservation, protection and sustainable use of the Darién in Panama, as part of the Great Forests of Mesoamerica | 15 months | National Association for Nature Conservation (ANCON) | Panama | Darien | Darién Province, Districts of Santa Fe, Metetí, Yaviza, Pusa Drua | 240,000 EUR | - Conduct training on the use and application of online GIS - Provide training on monitoring and implementation of watershed management and planning regulations |
| Forest governance and biodiversity conservation from the perspective of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in the Great Forests of Mesoamerica | Strengthening governance and sustainable forest management with an inclusive approach in areas of high ecological, cultural and biodiversity value included in the Great Forests of Mesoamerica (GBM) | 24 months | Mesoamerican Territorial Fund of the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests (FTM-AMPB); Organization of Forest Producer Ejidos of the Maya Zone S.C. (OEPFZM); Association of Forest Communities of Petén (ACOFOP); Miskitu Asla Takanka (MASTA); Integral Development Association of the Cabécar Indigenous Reserve of Nairi; Awari representing the Bribri and Cabécar Indigenous Network (RIBCA); Association of Women of the Cabécar Territory Talamanca Kabata Konana (Defenders of the Land and the Mountain); Foundation for the Development of the Emberá-Wounaan Region; Kuna Yala Research and Development Institute (IIDKY) | Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama | Selva Maya, La Amistad, Honduran Mosquitia, El Darién | The Maya Forest, Mexico with Maya indigenous people; Petén, in the buffer zone of the Maya Forest, Guatemala with local forest communities; in Honduras with the Miskito indigenous people of the Caribbean Coast; in Costa Rica with the Bribri and Cabécar indigenous peoples, in La Amistad; and in Panama in the territories of the Guna Yala and Emberá-Wounaan indigenous populations, in the Darién forest | 700,000 EUR | The FTM will implement regional activities aimed at coordinating and strengthening the capacities of PICL organisations by promoting knowledge management, support, and M&E with a focus on rights and cultural adaptation. In total, the intervention is estimated to impact 6,015 km² distributed across the GBM areas in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama through actions focused on protection, reforestation, sustainable management, and strengthening forest governance. Of these, 2,000 hectares are located in the coastal maritime zone of La Mosquitia in Honduras. |
| Life Connections: Youth, Women and Indigenous Groups Promoting the Conservation of the Harpy Eagle and its Forests in Panama and Mexico | To contribute to the conservation of the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), the largest and most powerful bird of prey in the Americas, through community monitoring, awareness-raising and training of youth, women and indigenous groups residing in the forests of Darién, Panama and the Maya Forest, Mexico | 12 months | Nature and Science Foundation 507; Natural Dimension S.C.; Kuna Yala Research and Development Institute (IIDKY) | Panama and Mexico | Darien, Mayan Jungle | Harpy eagles from two countries, Panama and Mexico, as well as the inhabitants, visitors and local governments of the communities in the Darién and the Mayan Jungle | 179,014.42 EUR | Scientific and community monitoring in at least three harpy eagle and/or crested eagle nesting areas in Darién, Panama, previously studied and with contact in the sensitized communities that benefit from bird watching |
| Agroforestry, participatory monitoring and environmental education, with the harpy eagle as an emblematic species to safeguard biodiversity and indigenous cultures in Darién, Panama | To contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and climate resilience in indigenous territories through the implementation of a biocultural agroforestry model, the participatory monitoring of 46 breeding territories of the harpy eagle and the training of indigenous environmental mentors, promoting community management of the forest as a common home that articulates ancestral knowledge and science to protect key ecosystems, strengthen sustainable livelihoods and empower women and youth in the defence of the territory | 12 months | Raptors and Forests Foundation of Panama; La Marea Biodiversa OBC; Playa Muerto Environmental Promoters Association | Panama | Darien | Emberá and Wounaan indigenous population (1,000 people) from the communities of La Marea, Tutumate, Cémaco and Playa Muerto, and surrounding areas. | 60,000 EUR | - Train leaders and producers in agroecology, forest restoration, and the management of demonstration plots - Implement the biocultural agroforestry model and monitor its development - Train Indigenous monitors in participatory monitoring of the harpy eagle and data collection - Prepare and share reports on environmental threats and the state of biodiversity - Conduct three workshops on biocultural conservation and ecosystem services - Carry out bimonthly environmental awareness campaigns and support community initiatives |
| Applied training, technical assistance, and territorial analysis for the collaborative management of human-wildlife conflict and the strengthening of connectivity between core areas in Darién National Park | To conserve wild cats, prey, and habitats in Darién National Park through collaborative land management that promotes ecological connectivity, ecosystem resilience, and coexistence with local communities. | 18 months | Yaguará Foundation Panama | Panama | Darien | Vulnerable populations living in the area of influence of Darién National Park and its connectivity to Chepo | 60,000 EUR | - Practical training in participatory monitoring with camera traps - Technical analysis of priority areas for the conservation and reintroduction of wild cats - Assistance and training for livestock producers - Training in wildlife management - Activation of the Jaguar Center's educational area - Institutional coordination and systematisation of results |
| Creating Connectivity, Reforestation, and Biodiversity Monitoring: Implementation of a Management Plan for the Landis Private Reserve, Renacimiento District, Chiriquí Province | To establish and consolidate ecological connectivity, promote active and systematic reforestation in Cant de Coto Brus and Cañas Gordas, and strengthen the observation and monitoring capacities of biodiversity within the Landis Private Reserve, in the Corregimiento of Breñón, District of Renacimiento, Province of Chiriquí, through the implementation of its Management Plan, in order to contribute to the long-term conservation of ecosystems and local wildlife | 9 months | Sustainable Regeneration (RESOS) OBC | Panama and Costa Rica | Friendship | Coto Brus Canton, Puntarenas Province (Costa Rica) and Renacimiento District, Chiriquí Province (Panama) | 24,205 EUR |
- Reforestation, Connectivity, and Restoration of Transboundary Habitats - Protection of Biodiversity and Water Resources - Community Participation and Transboundary Awareness |
| Territorial management for the protection of biodiversity, including biological corridors | Restore forests that have been impacted by livestock activities, which cause deforestation and degradation. | 8 months | Foundation for the development of the Embera Wounaan region | Panama | Darien | Embera region of Darién | 25,000 EUR | - Clear the trail (100 kilometres) - Install trail markers (cairns or signs) - Build ranger stations every 25 kilometres - Train rangers - Purchase surveillance equipment - Purchase communication equipment - Purchase communication equipment |
| Guardians of the Mountain Range: Participatory biological monitoring for the conservation of the Great La Amistad Forest – Costa Rica/Panama | Strengthening the conservation of the Great La Amistad Forest – Costa Rica/Panama through a participatory biological monitoring process with citizen science, involving indigenous communities and local actors in the collection and use of ecological data with digital tools | 6 months | Tropical Science Center | Costa Rica, Panama | Friendship | Municipalities of Pérez Zeledón, Buenos Aires, Coto Brus, Talamanca, Changuinola, Renacimiento | 25,000 EUR | - Train at least 30 people from community monitoring groups, Indigenous communities, and private reserves in participatory biological monitoring and the use of digital tools. - Design and implement a citizen science guide to train and mobilise organised monitoring groups, such as Indigenous territories and private reserves, in the use of digital tools and participatory methods for biodiversity monitoring. |
| Strengthening local capacities for the conservation of biodiversity and the green macaw in Darién | Expand an ongoing action that consolidates the green macaw as an emblematic species of conservation in Darién, by strengthening local capacities in biodiversity monitoring, promoting sustainable livelihoods through community tourism and awareness campaigns aimed at the social appropriation of biodiversity and the protection of its forests | 12 months | Eugene Eisenmann Avifauna Foundation | Panama | Darien National Park | In the municipality of Pinogana: the communities of Los Pavitos and Sansón Arriba In the municipality of Chepigana: the communities of Aldea Emberá and La Marea |
24,880 EUR | - Participatory workshops to reaffirm community priorities and validate Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) before the start of the action - Technical training workshops for local monitors - Advanced theoretical and practical training sessions for coordinators and mentors - Installation and rotation of 30 acoustic recorders across 5,000 hectares currently not sampled - Daily monitoring of ≥10 active green macaw nests during a breeding season |
| Community monitoring of altitudinal bird migration in private reserves of the PILA and strengthening bird tourism as a sustainable productive model in the Talamanca Mountain Range | Contribute to the conservation of altitudinal migratory birds by strengthening participatory monitoring and developing local capacities in birdwatching tourism around the PILA. | 12 months | Network of Private Natural Reserves of Panama (RRNPP) | Panama | Friendship | Private natural communities and reserves of Guadalupe Breñon, Cerro Punta, Las Nubes and Nueva California, in the buffer zone of La Amistad International Park (PILA) | 22,500 EUR | - Establishment of bird counting stations and fixed transects in each reserve - Implementation of the Bird Biodiversity Monitoring Manual protocol - Workshops on bird identification, use of binoculars, eBird recording, and basic statistical analysis - Workshops on birdwatching tourism, hospitality, and tourism services - Exchanges between private reserves and community stakeholders |
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OVERVIEW
Mexico, Belice, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica y Panama
Ongoing
Environment and Climate change
AECID (España), Expertise France (Francia), GIZ (Alemania) y ASDI (Suecia)
25,5 millones de euros
Programa DeSIRA
