BIO EMPRENDE TRIFINIO boosts 15 sustainable enterprises to strengthen livelihoods and promote nature-based solutions in the region

• The initiative strengthens rural businesses in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, contributing to the conservation and development objectives of the BLF program

Within the framework of the Resilient and Biodiverse Landscapes of Northern Mesoamerica project, CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), through its innovation and entrepreneurship lab Activa, concluded the call, evaluation, and selection process of the BIO EMPRENDE TRIFINIO program, an initiative aimed at strengthening sustainable rural enterprises through seed capital and technical support in the Trifinio region.

This call was supported by the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the Trinational Commission of the Trifinio Plan (CTPT), and various local partners.

The program received a total of 303 applications, of which 172 (108 men and 62 women) were admitted after meeting the established criteria, representing 57% of the total. These proposals mainly came from entrepreneurs in Honduras (45%), followed by El Salvador (31%) and Guatemala (24%), demonstrating a strong regional demand for financial mechanisms that promote sustainable production models with positive impacts on nature.

As part of the process, participants accessed a pre-incubation phase that included 12 hours of virtual training delivered by the Activa team on key topics such as business model design, sustainability, market strategies, and nature-based solutions (NbS). Subsequently, participants developed their business proposals to compete for seed capital resources in a competitive process. A total of 56 applications were submitted, of which 48 met the established technical requirements.

The final evaluation and selection of the proposals was carried out by a committee of 14 specialists, who analyzed each initiative based on technical criteria, environmental and social impact, business viability, and the relevance of investment plans.

Enterprises with impact in the Trifinio region

As a result, 15 enterprises (8 men and 7 women) were selected, evenly distributed across the three Trifinio countries: five in El Salvador, five in Guatemala, and five in Honduras.

A significant participation of women entrepreneurs was also observed, particularly in El Salvador and Honduras, reinforcing the program’s focus on social inclusion and gender equity, while simultaneously contributing to local income generation and biodiversity conservation.

The selected enterprises, from territories such as San Pedro Copán, Copán Ruinas, and Cucuyagua in Honduras; Chalatenango Norte and Chalatenango in El Salvador; as well as Jutiapa, Esquipulas (Chiquimula), Ocotepeque, and Metapán (Santa Ana), are characterized by their link to sustainable agricultural production, rural tourism, and value addition in production chains. They also stand out for incorporating innovation, technology, and nature-based solutions to address climate challenges. These initiatives maintain strong articulation with local producers and rural economies, enhancing their territorial impact.

From the perspective of the beneficiaries, the seed capital (on average USD 3,500 per enterprise) represents a decisive boost to consolidate their initiatives. This was highlighted by Manuel Aldana, entrepreneur of the Jamaica MAROA project, who stated that this support “was key to strengthening the production and processing of hibiscus with a sustainable approach, facilitating the implementation of technologies such as automated irrigation and a solar dehydrator that improves product quality.”

Aldana also valued the call process, noting that “it was very positive and well focused, as it promotes enterprises with environmental, social, and economic impact. It allowed me to better structure my project and align it with a sustainable and territorial vision.”

Through seed capital, the enterprises will be able to acquire basic and essential equipment that will allow them to strengthen and consolidate their business models, while developing activities that contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources and the improvement of livelihoods for entrepreneurs and their communities.

Likewise, as part of the process to strengthen and ensure the sustainability of these initiatives, CATIE and WCS will follow up with the selected enterprises within the framework of the Resilient and Biodiverse Landscapes of Northern Mesoamerica project, providing support and technical assistance to consolidate their business models, enhance their impact, and ensure their development in the medium and long term.

BIO EMPRENDE TRIFINIO is thus consolidated as a platform that promotes local economic development with a sustainable approach, fostering innovation, resilience, and biodiversity conservation in the region.