Training and coordination for effective implementation: Initial Workshop for the 2nd Call of Phase III

Photo: MAR Fund
From July 1-3, the Initial Workshop was held in Guatemala City for the projects selected in the second call of the project “Protection of Maritime Resources in Central America III (Phase III)”, an initiative financed by the German Cooperation through KfW, within the framework of MAR Fund’s Saving Our Protected Areas program.
During three days, 31 technical and administrative representatives from 16 marine-coastal protected areas from Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras met to strengthen capacities, exchange experiences and align strategies for an effective and coordinated implementation of their projects. Civil society organizations that will accompany the implementation of these projects also participated.
A platform for regional action
During the workshop, Marco Cerezo, representing MAR Fund’s Board of Directors, highlighted the value of this second Phase III call for proposals as an opportunity to give continuity to the work of previous phases, innovate in protected area management and strengthen regional collaboration. He underscored MAR Fund’s role as a platform that articulates resources, partnerships and technical capacities to strengthen the conservation of the Mesoamerican Reef System (MAR).
Practical training, dialogue and exchange
The workshop combined technical sessions and spaces for exchange between teams, addressing key topics such as:
- Use of the Project Operating Manual and the online Project Management System.
- Guidelines for technical and financial reporting.
- Implementation of the Environmental and Social Action Plans and the monitoring of the Complaints and Grievance Mechanism.
- Strategies to foster collaboration between projects and generate synergies in the territory.
This space made it possible to learn about the projects that will be implemented by the administrators and co-administrators of the different marine-coastal protected areas, strengthen institutional capacities and lay the groundwork for a solid, efficient execution with a regional vision.
More projects, more impact
Ana Beatriz Rivas, coordinator of Phase III, thanked the attendees for their active participation and acknowledged the support of the German Cooperation through KfW, which made possible the financing of eight new projects in this call, in addition to the 12 already supported in the first call. She mentioned that KfW’s support not only finances projects, but also strengthens local capacities, promotes networking and improves the resilience of protected areas and coastal communities.
Looking ahead
The learnings, tools and connections generated during this workshop will be directly translated into concrete actions in the territory. Through these initiatives, MAR Fund and its partners reinforce their commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of marine-coastal ecosystems in the MAR, contributing to the environmental resilience and well-being of the communities that depend on these valuable resources.
Photos: Liz Herrera y Olga Centeno
Tags: Protección de los recursos marítimos en América Central III (Fase III)