EU-Funded ILO PROSPER Project strengthens UN synergies and social protection in Belize

Belmopan City, Belize (ILO News) – The European Union-funded ILO PROSPER Project has reinforced national and UN collaboration to accelerate progress on Belize’s social protection agenda following a technical mission undertaken from 3–6 November 2025. Led by ILO Social Protection Analyst Kagisanyo Kelobang, the mission aimed to define and map the support required for the rollout of the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2025–2035 and to address persistent barriers affecting vulnerable rural communities. Local coordination by Tanisha Chavarria, National Project Coordinator for ILO PROSPER, and Marcie Martinez Carballo, Social Policy Consultant at UNICEF Belize, anchored the mission’s success.

Belize’s NSPS, finalized in February 2025, outlines transformative measures such as universal pensions for older persons, new grants for pregnant women and persons with disabilities, expanded BOOST cash transfers, and stronger links to employment services and disaster response systems. However, progress had recently stalled due to limited technical capacity. The mission aimed to revitalize momentum by mobilizing UN partners around a unified approach and equipping government institutions with evidence-based tools for policy implementation.

Mission schedule and key engagements
The mission kicked off meetings on 3 November with the PROSPER Project team discussing the social protection challenges that the target beneficiaries face and strategizing for how the ILO could leverage and enhance key partnerships for improved planning and coordination. This was followed by engagements with the Ministry of Economic Transformation and the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour & Local Government, focusing on identifying technical assistance needs, policy advocacy opportunities, and early implementation priorities.

The next day, the mission focused on engagement with the Social Security Board (SSB), where CEO Jerome Palma and Deputy CEO Leticia Vega explored pathways to broaden coverage for informal workers and resolve critical documentation constraints, which are among the most pressing challenges affecting PROSPER beneficiaries.

The team also met with the Ministry of Human Development, Families & Indigenous Peoples' Affairs (MHDFIPA), where CEO Adele Catzim and Director Dylan Williams examined opportunities to enhance coordination within Belize's social protection ecosystem.

The mission shifted toward social partner engagement, beginning with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In the discussion with Manager of Member Relations Yorshabell Cattouse and Policy Analyst Reyah Mendez there was in-depth exploration of enterprise development linkages and opportunities to integrate PROSPER beneficiaries into more formalized economic pathways. The meeting with the National Trade Union Congress of Belize also yielded valuable insights, as President Ella Waight emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable workers and expanding decent work across the informal economy.

The mission helped deepen relationships with key partners, identify practical opportunities for collaboration using existing service delivery systems, and build agreement on partnership models that can last beyond the project’s lifespan. The discussions also underscored the value of strengthening what already exists- leveraging national institutions and coordination mechanisms instead of creating new, parallel structures. “As Belize advances its national development agenda, strengthening social protection is essential,” said Mr. Kelobang. “These systems lay the foundation for inclusive growth by ensuring that every Belizean, especially those in rural and informal settings, can access decent work, income security, and opportunities for economic mobility.”

The EU-funded ILO PROSPER Project will continue supporting Belize in integrating social protection with local economic development efforts, particularly in rural communities where documentation gaps, informality, and limited access to financial services remain major barriers. The mission marks a decisive step toward ensuring that the NSPS becomes a fully operational framework capable of delivering tangible benefits to households across the country.