ILO showcases PROSPER at two Belizean events

BELIZE, (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) participated in two dynamic community events this May: EU in the Park in Belize City on 17 May 2025, and the 2025 Cacao Festival in Punta Gorda on 18 May 2025. Across both days, the ILO engaged with families, youth, farmers, and community leaders to raise awareness of the ILO EU-funded PROSPER Project and the opportunities it brings to Southern Belize.

At EU in the Park, held at BTL Park, the ILO’s booth drew attention with its vibrant visuals, interactive materials, and, most importantly, meaningful conversations. As part of the European Union’s “EU and U” celebration, the event fostered direct connections between local and international partners and the Belizean public. Visitors to the ILO’s booth discovered PROSPER: Participation, Ownership and Sustainable Progress for Economic Resilience, a four-year, ILO EU-funded initiative designed to empower rural and indigenous communities in Toledo and Stann Creek.

Ms. Tanisha Chavarria, National Project Coordinator for the ILO-EU PROSPER Project, played an integral role at both events, personally engaging with stakeholders and community members. “Participating in EU in the Park and the Cacao Festival gave us a unique opportunity to connect directly with the people who matter most, our communities,” she shared. “Many were hearing about PROSPER for the first time, and they were eager to learn how it could benefit their communities.”

The following day, the ILO team travelled to San Antonio Village, Punta Gorda to take part in the annual Cacao Festival, a cherished celebration of Belize’s cacao heritage since 2007. Amid the music, food, and local crafts, conversations at the ILO’s booth centered on sustainable livelihoods, youth searching for new skills, and how PROSPER can support agricultural value chains that are deeply tied to local identity and resilience.

Across both events, the message was clear: communities are ready to lead their own development, and they welcome the support that PROSPER brings especially in areas like skills training, green jobs, women’s leadership, and small business development.

These moments of connection are just the beginning. With every conversation, every handshake, and every new idea, PROSPER is planting seeds for a brighter, more inclusive future in Southern Belize.