FAO and Government of Belize conduct training in financial and climate resilience for fisheries stakeholders

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation (MBEMC), conducted a two-day capacity-building programme designed to strengthen the financial resilience and climate preparedness of Belize's fisheries and coastal communities.

Held 18-19 June 2026, the training formed part of the project, Community Engagement of the Coastal Zone and Fisheries Sector of Belize Through Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Capacity Building. It was designed as a practical response to the realities of Belize's fisheries sector where climate change, economic uncertainty and natural hazards continue to shape the future of coastal communities.

Many households rely primarily on fishing for their livelihoods, incomes fluctuate with fishing seasons and market conditions, and access to formal financial services remains a challenge. By strengthening financial literacy alongside climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, the initiative sought to help coastal communities build greater resilience to both economic and environmental shocks.

Twenty-six participants enhanced their financial literacy and climate resilience through training on seasonal cash flow planning, savings and debt management, access to finance, livelihood diversification, disaster preparedness, safety-at-sea simulations and ecosystem-based management. Delivered using a train-the-trainer approach, the programme also strengthened participants' capacity to share practical knowledge and skills within their own organizations and communities, extending the benefits of the initiative beyond the two-day workshop.

"Belize's fishing communities have long adapted to changing conditions through their own knowledge, experience and resourcefulness," said Dr Ana Touza, FAO Representative for Jamaica, The Bahamas and Belize. "This programme builds on those existing practices by strengthening financial planning, preparedness and climate resilience, while equipping participants to share these skills within their own organizations and communities. By investing in people and partnerships today, we are helping coastal communities become more resilient, protect their livelihoods and ensure that Belize's fisheries continue to sustain future generations."

The training brought together representatives from 16 organizations representing fisherfolk, government agencies and non-governmental organizations across Belize's coastal zone and fisheries sector.