CATIE: Adaptation solutions to climate change in Central American Dry Corridor

General results and progress The results within the project have been impressive. During 2023 the goals established in the Annual Workplan, two of the three goals proposed in Result 1 were achieved in their entirety, with 100% effectiveness. Regarding the goal related to the gender strategy, it was partially achieved, since its formulation and validation were completed at the end of 2023. However, the implementation process, which includes training and awarenessraising of the technical teams and the decision of the implementing partner organizations and institutions, as well as the ESCALAR team, will be carried out during the year 2024. In relation to Result 2, three of the six goals established for the year 2023 were met in their entirety, and one of them, referring to the number of people trained, was exceeded by more than 100%. Regarding the goal related to the negotiation and signing of collaboration agreements with Rural Associative Enterprises (ERA), this was partially achieved, with six ERAs signing collaboration agreements and becoming implementing partners of ESCALAR. By 2024, it is planned to incorporate new ERAs with the aim of expanding the number of families that implement Agricultural Innovations for Adaptation (IApA ) to climate change. Regarding the goal related to the formulation and implementation of business strengthening plans, this also partially advanced, like the previous one, and is expected to be completed during the year 2024. In the case of Result 3 (R3), two of the three goals were achieved 100%. However, the goal related to the number of people trained was met by 60%, despite the fact that 149 young people received training. It is recognized that this goal was very ambitious for the first year of project implementation. It is expected that, once the benefits of these trainings are known, a greater number of trained young people can be reached in 2024. Outcome 4 (R4) saw the slowest progress in 2023, with all targets only reaching 50% progress. This is largely due to the necessary preparatory work, which included mapping actors, preparing methodological instruments and conducting interviews before starting training and technical support. During 2024, actions in this result will be reinforced in order to equate its progress with that of the other three results. The results are described in details below: Result 1 Multi Stakeholder Platforms (MSP) in the CADC are consolidated, improving cooperation, learning and innovation, to fully support scaling up of Agricultural Innovations for Adaptation (AIFAs) and establishment of Rural Business Incubators (RBI) including gender equity, and vulnerable and ethnic groups. At least 60 decisionmakers, belonging to committees and boards of directors of the three countries of impact of the project, will learn about and participate in two awarenessraising activities (at least) on the importance of incorporating the strategy with a gender perspective to promote the scaling of IAPAs. A work strategy defined with national/municipal platforms and institutions for the formulation or adjustment of policies or similar instruments to promote the scaling of IAPAs and the strengthening/development of rural companies. Developed and incorporated a gender strategy for the different actions of the project throughout its implementation. Result 2 Demand driven Agriculture Innovations for Adaptation have been implemented in selected areas of the CADC benefiting vulnerable communities and ecosystems. At least 60 learning and massification farms with at least a package of the IAPAs promoted by the project in the three countries. Negotiated and signed collaboration agreements with at least 10 ERAs , in which the contributions of each of the parties will be established to begin the escalation process. 60 decisionmakers and field technical personnel (20) from the three countries of incidence participate in events in which the benefits of IApAs and the scaling approach are made known. At least 10 Rural Associative Companies ( ERAs ) have defined and agreed upon business strengthening plans for the period 20232025. At least 800 people implementing some of the IAPAs packages available in their respective productive activities or business services. At least six learning exchange tours organized on farms where IApAs are already operating . Result 3 Youth participate in Rural Business Incubators are consolidated / established new agribusiness 240 young people trained to strengthen/create rural businesses driven by IApAs (30% women). 30 people associated with the incubators trained (30% women). Three alliances strengthened/created to support incubation processes. Result 4 Access to climate finance and investments from the government and the private sector for implementation of business incubators and agriculture innovations for adaptation in the CADC has been facilitated. 30 key people sensitized on key ESCALAR issues. 10 technical support sessions for the review and adjustment of financing instruments/mechanisms carried out. Three financing mechanism instruments presented for consideration by the competent authorities. Five organizations receive training for the development of bankable projects Two organizations receive technical support for the presentation of bankable projects. Crosscutting issues Gender In 2023, three gender gaps faced by women, youth and indigenous or native peoples, which were identified during the preparatory phase of the project, were validated: (i) access to participation in conditions of equality and equity, ( ii ) representation in decisionmaking spaces under conditions of equality and equity, and (iii) access to resources that generate conditions for empowerment in equality and equity. The participation of at least 30% of women, youth and indigenous or native peoples was encouraged as an objective within the ECALAR actions. Among the main advances achieved in 2023 are: Formulation and validation of the ECALAR 20232026 Gender Strategy with a participatory approach, with the guideline of incorporating the gender approach and influencing the reduction of gender gaps agreed through the four results of ECALAR. The training, training and awareness process began for the technical and decisionmaking teams of the implementing partner organizations and institutions, as well as the ESCALAR team. The gender focus group was consolidated as a link and coordinator of the implementation of the Gender Strategy. The methodological route for the formulation of the implementation plan for the ECALAR Gender Strategy was defined. Socialization of the Strategy with the Escalar team and implementing Organizations and Instances of November and December 2023. Start of the strengthening program on issues of gender, youth and indigenous or native peoples to the teams for the operationalization of the Plan began in November 2023 and the program was defined 7 strengthening sessions for the gender focus group and Escalar team that will conclude in August 2024. Design and implementation of a followup methodology for the implementation of the April/December plan with instruments validated and being implemented, the methodology for monitoring and evaluating the progress in the Operationalization of the Gender Strategy and the impact on the reduction will be developed and implemented. Communication The main objective of the communication strategy is to strengthen the project through the creation of spaces, channels and communication products that manage to provide, transmit and disseminate information with cultural relevance and a gender focus. In 2023, the strategy was implemented in its first phase, focused on institutional communication and external projection (2023). Brand design of the ESCALAR project With the objective of visually positioning the project, the ESCALAR brand design was developed in coordination with the CATIE Communication office, taking into account the recommendations of the Swedish Cooperation and the territorial strategic ally the Trinational Plan Trifinio Commission (CTPT). Design and publication of the project website In 2023, the ESCALAR website was designed and published from the CATIE host www.escalar.catie.ac.cr. as a tool and dissemination channel that concentrates key information about the project. Audiovisual material. During 2023, with the purpose of informing about the project's actions, different audiovisual materials were made that are listed below and can be found on the project website: Promotional video of the project. 5 testimonial videos of key project actors. Systematization of the international tour to Nicaragua on rainwater harvesting systems in video format and a digital magazine. 15 publications in press release format of the activities of the ESCALAR project on CATIE's social networks. 14 publications on CATIE external communications channels (local television and radio, and internet portals. IAPAs massification process under the responsibility of R2, the project distributed the following materials to technical and decisionmaking staff. Two digital manuals on the topic of water harvesting A manual on artisanal bean seed production Two manuals on handling F1 coffee hybrids Five manuals on agroecological innovations for sustainable agricultural production A manual on bioinputs Eight technical sheets corresponding to the IAPAS promoted by ECALAR (in virtual format) An agribusiness training manual Within the framework of R3, those who won the seed capital process were given a kit consisting of a blanket bag, (1) cotton tshirt, (1) notebook and (1) pen with the image of the project and the call. 2023. Visibility of the project through advertising props. With the objective of visually positioning the project in the territory, signs were placed to identify learning farms, tshirts for staff from the implementing partner organizations, blanket bags, notebooks, pens and uniforms for ESCALAR staff.

The long term goals of the project are: (a) to support that vulnerable rural communities, especially rural women, are better adapted to climate change impacts since their livelihoods have been strengthened by improving agrobiodiversity and ecosystem services (water and soil) in agricultural production systems and high priority areas of the Central American Dry Corridor (CADC); (b) Young women and men have access to jobs/business opportunities; and (c) Climate change-induced migration in the CADC has been reduced. Objective Key actors from the public sector, civil society and the private sector at local, subnational, national, and regional level have successfully scaled agriculture innovations and established Rural Business Innovations to foster adaptation to climate change, agrobiodiversity conservation, resilient local livelihoods to reduce climate-induced migration in the CADC.