On March 9th 2022, the Government of Belize issued a press release announcing approval by the Green Climate Fund of a Readiness Project with the ISFMI for support for traditional fire management in Belize. The text of the press release is reproduced below, and available to download here.

The GCF Approves Grant Funding for a Traditional Savanna Fire Management Project

Belmopan. March 9, 2022. 3:15 p.m.

As the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) National Designated Authority for Belize, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Climate Finance Unit in collaboration with the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management are pleased to announce the approval of the project entitled Traditional Savanna Fire Management Readiness Proposal to facilitate emissions reductions in the agriculture, forestry and other land use sectors in Belize.

For the last decade, Australian indigenous people in the north of the continent have led the way in fire management, reducing emissions while caring for their lands and bringing benefits to communities through reinvigorating their traditional knowledge. A new project aims to allow Belize to take advantage of similar histories and opportunities in this part of the world. This project, valued at BZ$798,626, is intended to ready Belize for future development of traditional fire management (TFM) for emissions reduction sector, and use of TFM as a key climate change and fire management response. Specifically, the project will develop a concept note aimed to secure long-term support for fire management in Belize and to strengthen partnerships and knowledge sharing.

CEO Dr. Osmond Martinez emphasized that this readiness grant will support Belize in addressing key challenges since fire frequencies is increasing in the dry season affecting forest degradation, loss of biodiversity and affecting the most vulnerable population.

The International Savanna Fire Management Initiative Pty. Ltd. (ISFMI) will be the delivery partner. ISFMI has a vast amount of experience in supporting TFM and will support Belize’s efforts to combat climate change. In addition, key stakeholders including the Ministry Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labor and Local Government; Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs; and other vulnerable groups and communities will be engaged throughout the implementation project.

Dr. Osmond Martinez, CEO in the ministry and the National Designated Authority thanked the GCF. He congratulated Mr. Leroy Martinez, Economist/GCF focal point; Mr. Edgar Correa, Geospatial Monitoring Unit Manager and Forest Officer; Mr. Raul Chun, Manager of Fire Management Program; Dr. Ameyali Ramos, Senior Advisor, and Mr. Sam Johnston, Programme Director from the International Savanna Fire Management Initiative for their effort and excellent leadership in development and seeking approval of the project proposal.

Ends

For more information, contact:
CEO Dr. Osmond Martinez, Belize’s NDA to the GCF: ceo@med.gov.bz Mr. Leroy Martinez, GCF Focal Point: leroy.martinez@med.gov.bz
Mr. Edgar Correa, Forest Officer: gsmu.ecorrea@forest.gov.bz

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About Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment:

About the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment, in Belize it formulates and recommends national development policies, strategies and programmes to promote macroeconomic stability, sustainable socioeconomic development and the reduction of poverty. In June 2015, it was appointed through a Cabinet decision as Belize’s Nationally Designated Authority (NDA) to the GCF.

About the International Savanna Fire Management Initiative:

The Initiative is a not-for-profit Initiative that provides impartial advice and expertise to promote traditional fire management around the world, which also addresses climate change, provide development opportunities for local communities, protect biodiversity and revive culture. Respect for Indigenous peoples’ rights and interests as leaders of their own futures is at the forefront of the Initiative’s concerns. For more information: www.isfmi.org

About the Green Climate Fund:

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a global fund created to support the efforts of developing countries to respond to the challenge of climate change. GCF helps developing countries limit or reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate change. It seeks to promote a paradigm shift to low-emission and climate-resilient development, taking into account the needs of nations that are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. It was set up by the 194 countries who are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010, as part of the Convention’s financial mechanism. It aims to deliver equal amounts of funding to mitigation and adaptation, while being guided by the Convention’s principles and provisions.