Belize stakeholders identify and prioritize value chains at PROSPER Project sector workshop

BELIZE (ILO News) - On 20 August 2025, key stakeholders convened virtually for the EU-funded ILO PROSPER Project’s Sector Prioritization workshop, a critical step in shaping inclusive economic development and sustainable job creation. The workshop brought together social partners and experts creating a dynamic forum to identify and prioritize value chains with the highest potential to drive prosperity in the Toledo and Stann Creek districts.

Dun Grover, Principal Consultant at Near and Far Advisory, opened the session by emphasizing the participatory nature of the workshop. He stressed that the process was not just about analyzing markets but about rooting decisions in the lived realities of communities: “Your knowledge is critical. You will help us differentiate between real opportunities and noise.”

Tanisha Chavarria, PROSPER National Project Coordinator in Belize, underscored the importance of the workshop as the Project seeks to alleviate the persistent challenges facing the country. She highlighted that multidimensional poverty rates remain among the highest in the country, youth unemployment stands at 48 per cent, and women with only primary education experience unemployment nearly three times higher than the national average.

Exploring high-potential sectors

The workshop featured detailed presentations on promising sectors identified through research and consultations. Among these, cacao stood out for its potential to tap into a projected US$80 billion global premium chocolate market by 2031, with opportunities ranging from chocolate bars and nibs to innovative chocolate tourism. Spices and non-timber forest products, including honey, turmeric, vanilla, and indigenous herbs, offer entry points for women and youth through small-scale farming and processing.

Fisheries and aquaculture were also highlighted as vital pillars of local economies, with potential diversification into seaweed farming, farmed shrimp, and value-added seafood products. Tourism, ranked as the top priority by participants, was noted for its ability to deliver immersive cultural experiences linking Maya archaeology, Garifuna heritage, and cacao traditions to homestays, workshops, and eco-tourism ventures. Other sectors such as livestock, horticulture, and fruit processing were acknowledged for their potential, especially through sustainable practices and value addition.

Prioritization through collective insight

Using interactive polling via Mentimeter, participants ranked the sectors, with tourism, cacao, spices and non-timber forest products, and fisheries and aquaculture emerging as top priorities. These were then assessed against four criteria: market growth and income potential, cultural legitimacy and local interest, feasibility to intervene, and diversity of entry points for women, youth, and Indigenous producers.

Stakeholders’ discussions generated rich insights. For tourism, opportunities included experiential travel tied to local culture, while challenges were seen in infrastructure, transport, and accommodation. Cacao’s strong international demand was matched by ideas such as chocolate teas and toppings, but challenges included scaling processing and maintaining quality. For spices and non-timber forest products, wellness and gourmet markets offered promise, though certification and sustainable harvesting remained issues. In fisheries, diversification beyond lobster and conch and improving sustainability were identified as priorities.

With these priorities identified, the PROSPER team will now move to primary data collection in September, led by the Julian Cho Society. This phase will include community engagement meetings guided by free, prior, and informed consent principles, key informant interviews, skills surveys, and value chain mapping. A validation workshop in October will finalize recommendations for targeted interventions.

ILO’s John Bliek, Specialist in Sustainable Enterprise Development and Job Creation, closed the session by thanking participants for their expertise and the European Union and Government of Belize for their support: “This is a collective effort. Together, we are laying the foundation for sustainable, decent work in Southern Belize.”

The Sector Prioritization Workshop marks a milestone in Southern Belize’s journey towards inclusive economic empowerment. By harnessing local knowledge, valuing cultural identity, and connecting communities to expanding global and regional markets, the PROSPER Project lays the groundwork for lasting prosperity built on equity, sustainability, and decent work.

Funded by the European Union and implemented by the ILO, PROSPER represents a community-driven commitment to resilience, opportunity, and social justice.