Maya Natural Forest

completed

The project is a regional program with the aim of maintaining the ecosystem functions and cultural values of the Selva Maya, which ensure the prosperity of its inhabitants and provide environmental services of global importance. The forest areas in the border region between Belize, Guatemala and Mexico are a unique ecosystem that is exposed to various threats, mostly posed by humans, which are different in each of the three countries. In addition to the anthropogenic causes, such as the advance of the agricultural frontier, there are different effects of climate change and weak environmental governance. The project therefore aims in particular to strengthen the management of the region's protected areas and improve their connectivity. In addition, the existing capacities for cross-border coordination of activities are to be further developed. The target group of the project are the protected area administrations and the residents of communities in and within the catchment area of protected areas. At the request of the three countries involved and with the approval of the Federal Government's cooperation partner, the Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo - CCAD, the project is being implemented by the Union Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza - UICN through the regional office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean as the recipient of the FC grant and project executing agency. Implementation is taking place in close cooperation with the relevant national bodies. The measures are being coordinated with the GIZ projects Protection and Sustainable Use of the Selva Maya and Promotion of a Monitoring System for Biodiversity and Climate Change in the Selva Maya Region. We estimate the total cost of the project at EUR 12.8 million, of which EUR 8.0 million is to be provided from an FC grant.