The Belize Fund joined Conservation Trust Funds (CTFs) from across Latin America and the Caribbean at RedLAC Congress 2025, sharing lessons, innovations, and regional priorities for scaling sustainable finance. As a network of environmental funds committed to advancing effective conservation financing, RedLAC continues to play a critical role in shaping how countries safeguard biodiversity while supporting community resilience.
Driving Better Impact Reporting for Conservation
On September 28, 2025, Program Manager Josué Oliva and Project Officer Patty Pate participated in a workshop on Impact Reporting for Conservation Trust Funds, hosted by The Nature Conservancy. During the session, Josué shared how the Belize Fund is strengthening its systems to measure, track, and communicate results under the Belize Blue Bonds and Debt-for-Nature Swap.
He emphasized three pillars guiding our approach:
- Better tools for better insights – Developing clearer, more user-friendly systems that show how projects contribute to ocean conservation, community well-being, and Belize’s blue economy.
- Collaboration and shared learning – Partner engagement and cross-team coordination improve accountability and strengthen the quality of our data.
- Adaptation and flexibility – As a young fund, we continue evolving to remain responsive to community needs, scientific evidence, and lessons learned.
Through continuous learning and partnership, the Belize Fund remains committed to transparent, results-driven reporting that shows how sustainable financing creates meaningful change.
Blue Finance for Locally-led Action
RedLAC focused on the urgent need for sustainable ocean finance, especially as coastal communities face growing climate risks. With nearly 40% of the world’s population living near vulnerable coasts, our regional CTFs are proving that investing in nature is the smartest choice.
- The Global Challenge: Over 3 billion people depend on the ocean for their livelihoods, yet global funding still falls short of what’s needed to protect it. Studies show the cost of ocean decline far outweighs the cost of protecting it.
- The CTF Solution: Conservation Trust Funds are changing this narrative and bridging the funding gap. Through innovative, transparent financing, CTFs fund marine research, support small enterprises, and build more resilient coastal economies.
- Local Impact: “Big global goals start with small coastal communities.” By supporting locally led adaptation and conservation, funds like the Belize Fund help communities become frontline defenders of our ocean’s health. From mangrove guardians to sustainable fishers, we are turning financing into impact—strengthening livelihoods, restoring ecosystems, and protecting our shared future.
Smart Financing for a Sustainable Future
On October 2, 2025, our Executive Director, Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts, joined the panel “Green Bonds and Blue Bonds: Smart Financing for a Sustainable Future.” Dr. Ricketts reflected on key challenges in ocean conservation and how they guide our work at the Belize Fund—from measuring the real impact of the funding we provide to using targeted communications that amplify results and reach the people who matter most.
Belize Fund Joins RedLAC’s Executive Committee
A proud milestone for Belize—Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts has been elected to the RedLAC Executive Committee, the network’s core working body.
In this role, she will work alongside regional leaders to:
- Shape RedLAC’s strategic direction
- Strengthen collaboration across environmental funds
- Support the planning and delivery of future congresses
- Advance best practices in conservation finance
This achievement reflects Belize’s growing leadership in conservation financing and our commitment to regional collaboration and innovation.
Looking Ahead
RedLAC Congress 2025 underscored the transformative potential of sustainable financing across the Caribbean and Latin America. By combining scientific evidence, strong monitoring, and effective communications, as well as elevating community-led conservation, we are happy to contribute to regional efforts that champion approaches that uplift people while protecting nature.