Foto: Photo: ODECO Honduras
Mujeres por el SAM promotes the leadership of rural women from Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, so they can access resources, training, and opportunities that strengthen their ventures and generate real solutions to the social and environmental challenges of the MRS.
We create a regional exchange space where women entrepreneurs connect, learn, share experiences, and build networks that open opportunities in value chains historically limited for them, such as sustainable artisanal fishing.
Through a gender and triple-impact approach, we support initiatives that strengthen local economies, care for marine-coastal ecosystems, and reinforce the social fabric of communities.
Women for the MRS is a MAR Fund initiative, with the support of strategic alliances in the Mesoamerican region, as part of the Blue and Regenerative Economy program.
Photo: MAR Fund
Women have strengthened their capacities to develop triple-impact ventures
coastal communities in the MRS have participated in the initiative
ventures have received technical, financial, and/or organizational support
ventures giving greater participation to young women and women with disabilities
Greater economic autonomy, access to seed capital, and training.
Participation in regional exchange spaces, inter-institutional coordination, and collaboration with local governments.
Initiatives with triple-impact potential.
Positive impact on MRS ecosystems and climate change adaptation.
Since 2022, MAR Fund, in collaboration with regional partners, has been implementing MAR+Invest, a blended finance initiative that supports businesses contributing to reef conservation in the Mesoamerican Reef region.
Through this collaboration, we identified the need to support women-led businesses operating in sectors such as sustainable fisheries, wastewater treatment, ecotourism, and the circular economy. These activities reduce pressure on marine and coastal ecosystems, increase coral reef resilience, and generate local income.
Thanks to a grant from the Resilient Futures Fund (RFF), the project Her Ocean: a blended approach for women entrepreneurs seeking climate solutions in the Mesoamerican Reef region, will strengthen early-stage women-led businesses through capacity development, access to seed funding to consolidate their operations, and participation in an acceleration process.
This support aims to improve business viability, reinforce women’s participation and leadership in climate-related economic activities, and move women-led businesses closer to accessing concessional or private financing in later stages through MAR+Invest mechanisms.
Foto: Photo: [image to be updated]
Each venture represents the effort of women who drive economic, social, and environmental solutions in their territories. The program will continue to integrate new initiatives as the selection and support process advances.
Photographs courtesy of the represented organizations. Credits belong to their respective authors.
We are looking for ventures in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras that:
If you are not sure whether your initiative applies, you can write to us for guidance.
Mariana Borja
Oficial de Proyecto
Mujeres por el SAM
y Proyectos especiales
mborja@marfund.org
Taller inicial de la 2ª. convocatoria
Del 1 al 3 de julio de 2025, se llevó a cabo en Ciudad de Guatemala el Taller Inicial para los proyectos seleccionados en la segunda convocatoria del proyecto «Protección de los Recursos Marítimos en América Central III (Fase III)”, una iniciativa financiada por la Cooperación Alemana a través del KfW, en el marco del programa Salvando Nuestras Áreas Protegidas de MAR Fund.
Durante tres días, 31 representantes técnicos y administrativos de 16 áreas protegidas marino costeras de México, Belice, Guatemala y Honduras se reunieron para fortalecer capacidades, intercambiar experiencias y alinear estrategias para una implementación efectiva y coordinada de sus proyectos.
También participaron organizaciones de sociedad civil que acompañarán la ejecución de estos proyectos.