PROSPER project sharpens its focus in readiness for community action in southern Belize

BELMOPAN Belize (ILO News)- The EU-funded PROSPER Project – Participation, Ownership and Sustainable Progress for Economic Resilience – continues to build momentum in southern Belize. On 17 February 2026, the third Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting convened in Belmopan to review the annual progress of PROSPER and validate key implementation decisions. The meeting provided oversight partners with a comprehensive review of Year One progress and set the stage for accelerated implementation in 2026.

Strong Foundations for Targeted Action

Over the past year, PROSPER has focused on building the analytical and institutional foundations required for sustainable results. At the PSC, members were updated on the emerging Local Economic Development (LED) policy framework, which is informed by an assessment of existing policy support to LED and related recommendations presented to national and district stakeholders. This work directly advances PROSPER’s goal of a coordinated, inclusive and green local development model for southern Belize.

The PSC also reviewed two significant studies that were recently completed. In the first instance, the report of the value chain analysis confirmed agroforestry with focus on cacao, and sustainable tourism as priority sectors for focussed attention. In the second, the TVET and skills situational assessment mapped the skills needs and institutional gaps that must be addressed to better align training systems with market demand, in order for communities to fully benefit. By anchoring implementation in cacao and tourism value chains, PROSPER will be positioned to translate its analytical investments into tangible opportunities for households and youth.

Targeting 15 communities and two value chains

A major milestone of the meeting was the final validation of 15 communities that will receive direct support for LED planning. As 2026 progresses, these communities will begin establishing Local Action Groups (LAGs) and developing LED plans aligned with the LEADER approach. Kylah Ciego, ILO Project Monitoring and Implementation Officer told participants,
“Our focus now is to ensure that the 15 Local Action Groups have the tools, training and partnerships they need so that value chain development translates into decent work, especially for women and youth.” This decision aligns with PROSPER’s original commitment to develop LED plans in 15 communities in Toledo and parts of Stann Creek using a community-led and rights-based approach. The community selection process drew on consultations across roughly 40 Maya and Garifuna communities and used an agreed readiness scorecard to ensure that support is both needs-based, impactful and opportunity-driven.

Looking ahead: implementation in 2026

With core studies completed and governance structures soon to be in place, PROSPER is gearing up to move into the next phase of hands-on community planning, skills development and enterprise support. In 2026, the project will widen access to training for southern communities in cacao production and processing, cultural and eco-tourism, and related entrepreneurship skills, working through strengthened TVET institutions and local partners.

With EU support and strong national partnership, the project is set to make major strides in transforming plans into action, and action into sustainable economic resilience for Maya and Garifuna communities in southern Belize.