Community Watershed Management Program for Climate Change Adaptation – “Nuestra Cuenca Goascarán” (NCG)

Project completed
Beneficiaries of the project "nuestra cuenca Goascorán"
Beneficiaries of the project "nuestra cuenca Goascorán" © FDFA

The program empowers watershed organizations composed of public-private actors to govern a manage water resources in a sustainable and integrated way, together with the adoption of new technologies, this will improve living conditions and reduce impact of climate change  for 20,000 families in 16 municipalities, located in the Goascoran watershed river.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Honduras
Climate change and environment
Water
Other
nothemedefined
Disaster risk reduction DRR
Water resources conservation
Sector not specified
01.04.2019 - 31.08.2024
CHF  8’300’000
Background The Goascorán watershed has an extension of 1,371.15 km2 and more than 200 thousand inhabitants in 16 municipalities (some bordering with El Salvador), the middle and lower zone of the watershed are part of the Dry Corridor. A poor rural and indigenous population prevails, along with medium producers and traders. Extreme drought, heavy rains, landslides and floods make the watershed more vulnerable. The watershed organizations are the instance of participation for different actors of the territory and respond to the General Water Law of Honduras. These organizations already lead water governance processes, contribute to the territorial planning and take care of the quantity and quality of water for domestic and productive activities. The central government has a weak institutional presence and provide natural resources concession without consulting the population and local governments which intensifies conflicts in the watershed.
Objectives The farming families of the Goascorán watershed promote, from their watershed organizations, the governance of natural resources and reduce vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters risks.
Target groups
  • Seven thousand producers, women, youth and Indigenous people benefited with technologies, works, environmental restoration actions, and reduction of vulnerability to natural disasters.
  • 20 thousand families (100'000 people) of the 16 municipalities involved in management of the watershed (direct - indirect beneficiaries).
  • Urban populations, water consuming organizations and companies, municipalities and their municipal associations, NGOs and other institutions operating in the watershed.
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: The farming families and the community organizations of the Goascorán watershed adopt technologies and DRR and CCA works with equity, sustainability and territorial planning mechanisms.

Outcome 2: Watershed organizations (at micro, sub and watershed level of Goascorán) promote water governance and sustainable territorial development in an articulated manner with all stakeholders in the Goascorán watershed.

Results

Expected results:  

  • Population with technologies in CCA and works in DRR achieve income and sustainable livelihoods.
  • The population reduces losses in agriculture and productive and community infrastructure with a focus on watershed management and DRR/CCA.
  • Governance and water culture contributes to the territorial management of the Goascorán watershed, contributes to the peaceful conflict management and ensures water quality and quantity according to needs of various users.
  • The WOs have the capacity to plan, coordinate and integrate demands at the community, municipal and national level.
  • The population strengthens environmental-productive compensation mechanisms and conflict management related to natural resources.
  • Consolidated village banks support financial management in micro-watershed organizations.
  • WO expand gender equity and social and ethnic inclusion.


Results from previous phases:  

  • 16 watershed organizations (WO) constituted with leading stakeholders of Goascorán, including indigenous Lenca organizations, local governments and their municipal associations.
  • 54 (33.3%) of women integrated directives of the WO.
  • 3,000 farming families have an agro-ecological approach and integrated their own financing structures (village banks).
  • 4'353 families promoted 78 small community works for DRR and CCA.
  • 9 local governments contributed USD 174,415 (14%) of the total investment in DRR works. The communities contributed USD 320,421 (26%).
  • 77 village banks with 45% female members, 43% female directors and 25% young people under 30 years old. The default rate of financing is barely 1.2%.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
  • Other international or foreign NGO North


Coordination with other projects and actors
  • Canadian Cooperation Programs
  • USAID and WB programs as part of the Dry Corridor Alliance (ACS) present in the watershed.
  • IUCN and CRS projects, Fundación Vida and other NGOs of the Fonseca Gulf region.
  • Water and Sanitation Cooperation Fund (AECID).
  • National Association for the Promotion of Ecological Agriculture (ANAFAE).
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    8’300’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    8’233’059
Project phases

Phase 2 01.04.2019 - 31.08.2024   (Completed)

Phase 1 01.12.2013 - 31.12.2018   (Completed)