Communities on the coast of southern honduras face particularly high rates of unemployment, food insecurity, and youth migration

The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) awarded a $125,000 Project Grant to the Union Regional De Pescadores Artesanales Del Golfo De Fonseca (URPAGOLF) under the IAF Assistance for Overseas Programs (CFDA #85.750) to support community-led economic development initiatives in Honduras.

URPAGOLF will work with women's and youth organizations in the municipalities of Amapala and Marcovia to develop environmental tourism and seafood processing enterprises. The grant will also help these organizations expand community-based savings and credit groups to increase access to $125k in seed capital for additional small businesses. This funding aims to address high unemployment, food insecurity, and youth migration in coastal communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and environmental conditions through locally-driven economic opportunities. The two-year grant period runs from August 12, 2022 to August 12, 2024.

The economic impact of the covid-19 pandemic and worsening environmental conditions have made IT difficult for people to earn a living. The IAF supports community-led approaches to expand economic opportunities. Our grantee, the union regional DE pescadores artesanales DEL golfo DE fonseca (urpagolf) is working with women?s and youth organizations to develop environmental tourism and seafood processing enterprises in the municipalities of amapala and marcovia. Urpagolf is also supporting the organizations to expand community-based savings and credit groups to increase access to seed capital for additional small businesses. This grant is part of the IAF's efforts to address the root causes of irregular migration in central america.