Resilient Bold Belize

The Resilient Bold Belize project, a public-private partnership led by the Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit, focuses on improving the management of 34 coastal and marine protected areas to enhance fisheries and nature-based tourism. The ESMF identifies critical risks, including the potential for economic displacement of fisherfolk due to access restrictions and the need to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, specifically the Garinagu and Maya. To mitigate these, the project implements a Process Framework for livelihood restoration, an Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework requiring Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and a multi-level Grievance Redress Mechanism.

• The project aims to improve the management and financial sustainability of 34 coastal and marine protected areas to support biodiversity, local fishing, and nature-based tourism.
• Belize's marine environment has suffered from overfishing, habitat loss, and coral diseases, with national commercial fish biomass for snappers and groupers currently rated as 'Poor'.
• The project identifies a significant risk that expanding 'no-take' areas or seasons and increasing enforcement will negatively impact the livelihoods and food security of local fisherfolk.
• There is a documented risk that increased enforcement in marine protected areas could exacerbate gender-based violence (GBV) against women and children due to male frustration and alcohol consumption during low-catch seasons.
• The Garinagu and Maya peoples are identified as Indigenous Peoples within the project area; the project mandates a Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process to protect their rights and cultural resources.
• A gap analysis reveals that while Belize has national laws for protected areas, it lacks a specific national legal framework for a Grievance Mechanism, necessitating the project's own GRM.
• Field research indicates widespread distrust in government and NGOs, with community members reporting that law enforcement is often compromised by corruption and bribes.
• Climate change impacts are highly prevalent, with 85% of survey respondents reporting they have been affected by issues such as erosion, coral bleaching, and increased sea temperatures.
• The project establishes a Process Framework (PF) to ensure that any economically displaced persons receive compensation and livelihood restoration assistance.
• The project implements a three-tier Grievance Redress Mechanism involving the project-level PMU, the WWF GEF Agency, and the GEF Conflict Resolution Commissioner.
• The project maintains an exclusion list of activities that will not be financed, including those causing soil/water degradation, physical displacement, or the use of prohibited pesticides.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Resilient Bold Belize. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/2rr1gdn3kv_FV_EMSF_Resilient_Bold_Belize_.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Resilient Bold Belize. n.d. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/2rr1gdn3kv_FV_EMSF_Resilient_Bold_Belize_.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Resilient Bold Belize |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/2rr1gdn3kv_FV_EMSF_Resilient_Bold_Belize_.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndresilient, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Resilient Bold Belize}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/2rr1gdn3kv_FV_EMSF_Resilient_Bold_Belize_.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }