EU-funded ILO PROSPER Project news
Strengthening rural development in Belize through ILO engagement
The ILO strengthens its support to Belize’s rural development agenda by advancing the Local Economic Development Policy Framework and aligning EU-funded ILO PROSPER Project actions with the National Rural Development Strategy to promote inclusive, community-led growth and decent work.
24 April 2026
Belize (ILO News) – In April 2026, the International Labour Organization advanced its support to Belize’s rural development agenda through targeted policy dialogue and strategic alignment under the EU-funded ILO PROSPER Project.
Strengthening the Local Economic Development Policy Framework
On 21 April 2026, the ILO met with the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Local Government & Community Development to advance the Local Economic Development (LED) Policy Framework under the PROSPER Project. Discussions centred on the findings of a recent consultancy and how its recommendations could be adapted to strengthen rural resilience, improve institutional coordination, and expand access to financing to support community-led development priorities.
The Ministry expressed strong interest in adapting the recommendations to ensure that local economic growth remains inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to rural needs.
The Ministry’s delegation, led by CEO Valentino Shal and supported by senior technical officers, engaged with ILO specialists John Bliek, Sustainable Enterprise and Job Creation Specialist, and Kylah Ciego, Acting National Implementation and Monitoring Officer for PROSPER. Together, they explored practical pathways to align the LED framework with Belize’s National Rural Development Strategy (NRDS), reinforcing a shared commitment to decent work and sustainable enterprises in rural communities.
“The ILO is very pleased to see how PROSPER contributes on all levels with this national rural strategy, from local and district level organization, to added value production and SME and Cooperative Development, helping to bring to live core elements of Belize’s National Rural Development Strategy.” John Bliek, Sustainable Enterprise and Job Creation Specialist, ILO.
Aligning UN support with the National Rural Development Strategy
Building on this momentum, on 22 April 2026, the ILO participated in a NRDS strategic alignment meeting convened by the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Local Government & Community Development, alongside key line ministries and the UN Country Team.
The session featured a presentation led by the UN Country Team, which outlined a consolidated mapping of UN-supported projects and initiatives contributing to the NRDS 2026–2030. The ILO, represented by John Bliek and Kylah Ciego, provided technical inputs to the alignment matrix, highlighting how actions under the PROSPER Project were already supporting NRDS implementation across its strategic pillars.
The technical working session focused on identifying investment-ready projects, clarifying immediate technical needs, and strengthening a coordinated approach to donor engagement, ensuring that the NRDS roadmap translates into tangible results for rural communities.
A shared vision for rural prosperity
Anchored in four strategic axes: Partnership, Prosperity, People, and Places and reinforced by cross-cutting approaches on inclusion and climate resilience, the NRDS 2026–2030 sets out a bold vision for rural Belize.
“This meeting further confirms that PROSPER initiatives are fully aligned with national priorities, and the ILO is ensuring that community-led development and rural resilience remain at the centre of implementation.” Kylah Ciego, Acting National Implementation and Monitoring Officer, ILO PROSPER Project.
Through continued collaboration with national partners and the UN system, the ILO remains committed to supporting this vision by promoting decent work, strengthening local economies, and ensuring that rural development delivers real and lasting benefits for people and communities across the country.