New project to build climate resilience of Indigenous communities in Honduras
A partnership for the programme 'Ecological Restoration, Renewable Energy, Agriculture and Irrigation in Protected Lenca Indigenous Communities' was recently signed by Mr. Emmanuel Bejar, representative of SNV Honduras, and Ms. Mirna Lievano de Marques, representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The programme aims to improve climate change resilience and local livelihoods of five indigenous communities in Lenca, Tolupán and Nahua. We will do so through community pilot initiatives that introduce pest control, the use of renewable energy and sustainable agricultural practices.
The capacities of these Indigenous communities to adapt to climate change, to increase their resilience and to improve local knowledge dissemenation will be strengthened to support communities to develop adaptive strategies appropriate to their specific geographical, socio-economic and cultural contexts, in the provinces of Francisco Morazan and Olancho.
Practical and tailored solutions will also be supplied such as improved infrastructure, technology for pest control, alternative renewable energy sources, and techniques for sustainable agricultural production. To ensure continuity of use, communities will be trained in the operation and maintenance of provided facilities.
Improved irrigation forms an important part of sustainable production
SNV will lead the coordination of the programme and the inter institutional dialogue processes with local governments, the Permanent Commission of Contingencies (COPECO) and other government entities, organizations and leaders of indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples, and private organizations.
The Project will be implemented for a period of 18 months by SNV Honduras, with funding of US$ 745,000 from the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).