WWF: Rädda naturen genom att stärka lokalsamhällen i Latin Amerika

NORTHERN AMAZON LANDSCAPE In Colombia, the project focused on the Jaguar Corridor region in Guaviare, a crucial area for ecosystem connectivity in the Amazon. During this period, 10 community organizations were consolidated in the Jaguar Corridor "Main Roundtable", a governance space that promotes joint management of natural resources and long-term planning. The "Main Roundtable" has played a fundamental role in defining a joint vision for the region, with goals set through 2033. The lines of work include conservation, the generation of sustainable livelihoods, organizational strengthening, and governance. These initiatives have not only improved ecosystem connectivity, but have also empowered local communities to take an active role in protecting their territories. The landscape in Ecuador made significant progress in strengthening sustainable livelihoods. Through an exhaustive mapping of territorial actors, 28 key organizations were identified that play a crucial role in the implementation of sustainable productive activities in the Ecuadorian Amazon. These actors include ministries, local governments, NGOs, and indigenous organizations, which together have worked to develop initiatives that promote the conservation of the tropical forest and the generation of income for local communities. One of the most important milestones was the prioritization and support of six bioenterprises selected for their capacity to generate positive economic and environmental impacts. These bioenterprises received technical and financial assistance, which allowed them to improve operational management and strengthen the managerial capacities of their leaders. In addition, training in business and environmental management was implemented, ensuring that these enterprises are not only economically sustainable, but also contribute to the conservation of the region's ecosystems. In Peru, the process of strengthening the Indigenous Women's Program of the Regional Organization of the East - ORPIO has continued, a key space for empowering indigenous women from the local bases of the Putumayo, Napo, Tigre, Marañon, Yaquerana, Bajo Amazonas, Nauta, Ampiyacu, Corrientes, Jenaro Herrera, Tapiche, Curaray, Yaguas, Nanay and San Pablo de Tipishca basins. In this sense, activities have been focused on managing, providing support and articulating actions with the aim of contributing to the implementation of the Strategic Plan and Capacity Building Plan for the period 2023-2028. The project has provided technical advice to the leader of the Women's Program to establish the articulation and establishment of alliances with organizations such as Word Vision, One Planet, Biofuturos, FORMABIAP, ASEM (Association of Entrepreneurs of the Peruvian Amazon), DAR, Protection International and the Regional Government of Loreto, this has allowed the strengthening of leadership capacities in issues of empowerment of indigenous women, protection of environmental defenders, indigenous entrepreneurship and the development of the proposal for the organization of a training program in indigenous governance and strengthening of women's spokespersons has begun, which will seek to contribute to strengthening the leadership of 40 women representatives of the communal bases of ORPIO. This program has a curriculum approved by the strategic partners and is in the process of being reviewed for its next implementation. SOUTHERN AMAZON LANDSCAPE In Bolivia, the project focused on strengthening the capacities of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs and LCs) in the department of Pando, with a particular focus on the inclusion of women and youth in decision-making processes. The necessary enabling conditions were established, such as the formation of a technical team with new skills and the installation of an operational office in Cobija, which has served as a base for activities in the region. Efforts were made to identify and mobilize key actors in the intervention sites, including indigenous organizations and local communities. These activities not only promoted community cohesion, but also strengthened territorial rights and natural resource governance in the region. The implementation of strategies for the participation of women and youth has been particularly successful, leading to greater inclusion and equity in decision-making at the community level. The strengthening of the Madre de Dios Indigenous Forestry Association (AFIMAD) in Peru continued. The project focused on improving the livelihoods of the communities associated with this organization, providing technical support for the approval of management plans for the use of Huicungo (fruit of the Astrocaryum murumuru palm tree), benefiting five indigenous communities: Sonene, Palma Real, Boca Pariamanu, Puerto Arturo and Monte Salvado. In addition, five Brazil nut committees were organized in these communities and 170 families were trained in good practices for the collection, storage and transportation of Brazil nuts, implementing a chain of custody manual to ensure product traceability. The commercialization of 175 tons of certified organic Brazil nuts in shells was also achieved and a cost study was initiated for the productive chains of Brazil nuts and Huicungo. MAYAN JUNGLE LANDSCAPE In Mesoamerica, the project's efforts focused on coordination between key actors to maximize the impact of interventions in the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala and in the Belize Forest Reserve. In Guatemala, duplication of efforts was avoided through effective collaboration between WWF, ACOFOP and ProPeten, allowing for more efficient implementation of income-generating activities in forest concessions. These activities are designed to strengthen the economic sustainability of local communities while conserving natural resources. In Belize, although the implementation process was slower due to challenges in finalizing contracts and risk assessments, progress was made in preparing key activities such as the climate vulnerability assessment. These activities, once underway, are expected to strengthen the resilience of local communities to the effects of climate change, diversifying their sources of income and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. In Mexico, the project made significant progress in the Selva Maya, a region facing severe environmental pressures due to climate change and the construction of the Maya Train. During this period, a detailed diagnosis of vulnerability to climate change was completed, which revealed a worrying increase of 1.5 C in recent decades. Based on this diagnosis, six income-generating activities were identified that can be strengthened through the application of nature-based solutions, such as agroforestry and sustainable production. These activities are designed to improve the resilience of local communities to environmental changes, while promoting the conservation of critical ecosystems in the Mayan Forest. The implementation of these activities has been accompanied by efforts to strengthen local governance, ensuring that communities are empowered to manage their resources sustainably and equitably.

The project has three main outcomes with associated short- , medium, and long -term objectives: 1. Income generating activities that promote sustainable livelihoods, human wellbeing , and natural resource management - By 2024, at least 15 income generating activities are prioritized with rightholders. - By 2025, at least 8 income generating activities are being implemented with adaptive management considerations. - By 2026, At least 5,000 IPLC people participating in income generating activities. 2. Building capacities and alliances of rightsholders for more empowered territorial governance - By 2023, at least 15 IPLC organizations (5 per landscape) trained in organizationaland financial management and territorial governance. - By 2024, at least 30 IPLC will be trained on advocacy and leadership. - By 2025, at least 6 alliances (2 per landscape) between IPLCs and other key stakeholders should be established to support equittable climate and nature solutions 3. IPLCs have a stronger voice for equittable climate and nature solutions - By 2025 at least 15 IPLC organizations have amplified their voices in public debate for equitable climate and nature solutions