Author name: Blythe Thompson

News & Events

Over June 26–27, the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future hosted a two-day Media Tour to some of Belize’s most iconic marine protected areas — Gladden Spit & Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, Laughing Bird Caye National Park, and the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve.

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We were joined by representatives from 7 News Belize, Love FM, News 5, Hot Off The Press, San Pedro Sun, and Climate Spotlight, who got a front-row seat to conservation in action. Day 1: At Gladden Spit and Laughing Bird Caye, journalists heard from our grantee partners: They also took to the water to snorkel and experience the vibrant marine life these MPAs protect. Day 2: The tour continued to Hunting Caye in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, where shared insights on enforcement, biodiversity protection, and expanding Belize’s ocean protection zones to 25%. Through its Grants Award Program and Government Strategic Allocation, the Belize Fund supports the stewardship of 14 MPAs covering over 612,000 hectares — funding local innovation, strengthening enforcement, and ensuring long-term sustainability for generations to come. This media tour helped connect storytelling with science, giving journalists a deeper look into the people and partnerships shaping Belize’s ocean future.

News & Events

🎉 Congratulations to the Winners of our Ocean Awareness Poetry Contest! 🐚🌊

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We’re proud to celebrate the young voices who used the power of creative expressions to speak up for our oceans. Under the theme “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us”, these poems captured creativity, care, and a call to action about the ocean’s beauty, power, and importance in our lives, and why ocean health matters. A heartfelt thank you to all participants who inspired us with your words and passion! 💙

News & Events

📢 We’re inviting all interested individuals to join our upcoming information sessions this July to learn how to access grant funding through the Belize Fund’s upcoming Call for Proposals, opening in August 2025. 🌊🇧🇿

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These sessions will walk you through the application process, share details on funding opportunities, and help ensure you’re ready to submit a strong concept paper. 🗓️ Mark your calendars! Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, ask questions, and explore how your work can help protect and sustain Belize’s marine and coastal resources. 🐠🌍

News & Events

Belize Fund’s 2025 Ocean Awareness Poetry Contest

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In celebration of Ocean Awareness Month, the Belize Fund is launching a national poetry contest for primary school students under the World Ocean Day 2025 theme “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us.” This contest invites young ones to think about the ocean’s beauty, power, and importance in our lives, and why ocean health matters. Through poetry, students will explore how wonder leads to care, connection, and action for a more sustainable future.  Contest Duration: June 16 – 23, 2025  Winners Announced: June 30, 2025  Eligibility: Open to students enrolled in Standard 4, 5, and 6 in any primary school in Belize.  How it Works:  Each participant will write an original poem on this year’s theme and submit a video reciting the poem (no longer than 60 seconds). Poems may be recited in English or Belizean Creole.  In their video recorded poem, students should clearly express:  Rules and Guidelines:  Judging Criteria:  Prizes:   Winners in Standard 4, 5, and 6:  Disclaimer:   By submitting an entry, participants agree and grant permission for full use by the Belize Fund to be displayed, distributed, reproduced, and created as derivative works of the texts, in whole or in part, in any media currently existing or subsequently developed, for any educational, promotional, publicity, exhibition, archival, scholarly, or all other standard purposes of the Belize Fund’s communication activities and product development related to Belize coastal and marine environment. 

News & Events

Update from the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France! 🌊

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The first-ever Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Conservation Trust Fund Community of Practice was held, bringing together the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, Micronesia Conservation Trust, Niue Ocean Wide Trust, SeyCCAT, and our very own Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future! As our Executive Director Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts shared: “It was great to meet other SIDS CTFs who share similar challenges and experiences. We discussed the creation of a Community of Practice to bring SIDS CTFs to the forefront, and how we can engage multilaterals and donors for a place at the table to access funding directly, to mobilize this to communities on the ground.” With record ocean heat and acidification threatening marine ecosystems worldwide, this collaboration couldn’t be more urgent. The Community of Practice represents a unified force of island nations leading the charge for ocean health. Together, we’re working to make sure small nations like Belize get the funding they need, and that the money reaches the communities driving local action for our ocean every day.🌐➡️🏝️ This is what ocean leadership looks like: small islands, big impact! 🏝️✨ 📌 Special thanks to Kate Brown for capturing the energy of the session.

News & Events

Thank you to Gales Point Government School and the Parent-Teacher Association for inviting the Belize Fund to your Education May Fair!

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We had an amazing time chatting with students about Belize’s incredible marine environment, from the brain corals to the whale sharks, and why keeping our ocean healthy matters for everyone, especially them. It was inspiring to see how curious and engaged they were as we explored how our daily actions connect to the sea. The conversations about protecting and conserving our ocean space as proud Belizeans were truly meaningful. 🌊 We’re hopeful that these young minds will grow into the next generation of ocean guardians. 💫🌱

News & Events

PACT and Belize Fund Partner to Strengthen Conservation Financing in Belize 

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(City of Belmopan, April 7, 2025) – The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) and the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future (Belize Fund) have formalized a partnership to enhance conservation financing for Belize’s National Protected Areas System (NPAS). Today’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) marks a significant step in ensuring coordinated and effective financing for the country’s protected areas and natural resources.  This agreement sets the foundation for collaboration in key areas, including joint resource mobilization, standardized conservation financing policies, stakeholder engagement, and coordinated participation in international conservation forums. The partnership also seeks to increase public awareness of conservation efforts through joint campaigns and a National Conservation Summit in 2025.  “Today, is a powerful statement to our partners in conservation, in sustainable development, and in general to every Belizean, by both PACT and the Belize Fund, that protecting our environment and ensuring a sustainable future for our people is not just a priority- it is an obligation,” expressed Hon. Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management.   “By working together, we can avoid duplication of efforts and create more strategic and impactful conservation financing for Belize,” said Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts, Executive Director of the Belize Fund. Noting the significance of sustainable financing for protected areas, she added “This partnership aligns with our mission to invest in Belize’s marine and conservation priorities. By combining efforts, we can maximize the impact of our resources and support meaningful, science-driven conservation and community projects.”  “Our organizations have collectively invested over BZ$64 million to advance Belize’s conservation goals. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, we reaffirm our commitment to our unified mission of safeguarding Belize’s natural heritage and supporting the development of our communities and partners who share this responsibility,” shared Mr. Abil Castañeda, Executive Director of PACT, emphasizing the importance of this partnership.   The MOU will be in effect for five years, with both organizations conducting regular assessments and joint initiatives that enhance Belize’s conservation landscape. Both PACT and the Belize Fund are committed to supporting Belize’s National Protected Areas System, which includes a network of protected areas established to safeguard the country’s natural and cultural resources and ecosystem services. 

News & Events

Belize Fund’s 3-year Program Highlight Video

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🌊 Building a Resilient Blue Economy: The Belize Fund’s Impact 🌿 The ocean isn’t just a breathtaking landscape—it’s the heartbeat of Belize’s economy, culture, and way of life. But safeguarding this vital resource requires more than passion—it demands action, investment, and unwavering commitment. In just three years, the Belize Fund has invested over BZ$23.6 million in 29 impactful projects dedicated to protecting and restoring Belize’s marine and coastal ecosystems. From coral reef restoration and mangrove conservation to strengthening marine law enforcement and supporting sustainable livelihoods, our work ensures that Belize’s ocean remains vibrant and resilient for generations to come. 🎥 In this video, you’ll discover: ✅ How strategic investments are driving real solutions for marine conservation ✅ The voices of local conservationists, fishers, and community leaders making a difference ✅ The importance of long-term, sustainable financing for Belize’s blue economy Together, we can safeguard Belize’s ocean—today, tomorrow, and always. 🌎 👉 Watch now to learn more about our impact and join the movement for a resilient blue economy!

News & Events

Belize Fund Approves BZ $1.13 Million for Eight New Projects, Prioritizing Support for Community-Led Conservation

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PRESS RELEASE: (City of Belmopan, March 28, 2025) – The Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future (Belize Fund) is proud to announce the approval of eight new projects that support community-led conservation, strengthen marine and coastal ecosystems, and promote sustainable development. A key highlight is the introduction of a Community Grants window, designed to address barriers that smaller, grassroots groups face in accessing funding. These grants ensure that local knowledge and community-driven solutions are central to protecting Belize’s natural resources. “We realized that while our process ensures accountability, it wasn’t reaching everyone,” says Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts, Executive Director of the Belize Fund. “To truly create lasting impact in conservation, we needed a more inclusive approach that directly supports communities.” The approved projects represent diverse focus areas across protection for biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience, and blue business innovation:1. Three Lagoon Sustainability Program (BZ $75,000)2. Creative Imageries Motion Art Studio (BZ $74,960)3. Chunox Fishermen Association (BZ $75,000)4. Shark Fishers Association (BZ $75,000)5. Sea of Life – Plastic Solutions Academy (BZ $150,000)6. ECOMAR – Barrier Reef Watch (BZ $139,225)7. Blue Nutrients Belize Ltd (BZ $149,740)8. World Wildlife Fund Mesoamerica (BZ $397,375.60) Beyond funding, the Belize Fund invests in capacity-building through in-person sessions, proposal-writing workshops, and direct support from consultants. “We don’t just provide funding—we help organizations develop skills to secure and manage resources effectively,” says Josue Oliva, Program Manager. “By meeting people where they are, we ensure they can focus on conservation and sustainable livelihoods.” “We want to do more than just provide funding for conservation,” says Dr. Cho-Ricketts.” We want to equip people with the tools they need to succeed and create a foundation for long-term impact.” The Belize Fund is committed to inclusion, innovation, and long-term impact.

News & Events

Winners of the Reef Week Art Contest 2025!

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🏆 CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners of the Reef Week Art Contest 2025!🎨 Category: Ages 12-17🥇 1st Place: $700 – Josiaha Castillo🥈 2nd Place: $550 – Eric Raymundo🥉 3rd Place: $450 – Erika Gutierrez🏅 4th Place: $300 – Rebecca Li🏅 5th Place: $200 – Chloé Martinez Category: Ages 18+🥇 1st Place: $1000 – Jaime Ramos🥈 2nd Place: $800 – Diana Ascencio🥉 3rd Place: $600 – Janeth Rosa🏅 4th Place: $400 – Sylvia Artiaga🏅 5th Place: $300 – Jdah Anderson ✨ People’s Choice Award: Gerald Wewe 🎉 Your creativity and passion for Belize’s marine life truly shine through your artwork! Thank you to everyone who participated—your artistic expressions help raise awareness about the beauty of our reefs and the importance of protecting them for future generations. 🐠💙

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