Honduran community projects share conservation and development lessons

Community organizations in southwestern Honduras recently participated in an exchange of experiences and lessons learned regarding 16 Small Community Projects (PPC). These initiatives, part of the Conecta+ Project, focus on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

The event was organized by the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment (SERNA) with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implementation by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Participants included representatives from various departments, including Copán, Ocotepeque, Lempira, La Paz, Intibucá, Santa Bárbara, Cortés, and Comayagua. The groups involved indigenous peoples, specifically Lenca and Maya Ch’ortí, as well as organized women's groups.

Key project activities highlighted include micro-watershed protection, ecosystem restoration, strengthening water administration boards, establishing community nurseries, and improving environmental governance. One notable achievement mentioned was the inauguration of water storage infrastructure in the indigenous hamlet of San Fernando, Yamaranguila, which provides 20,000 gallons of water to benefit 187 families.