Nicaragua strengthens its capacities to advance bioeconomy projects and climate finance

• Specialized training brought together representatives from public institutions and non-governmental organizations to strengthen their skills and tools for developing bioeconomy projects and accessing climate finance.

Developing capacities to design robust projects with the potential to access international resources to address climate change was one of the main objectives of the course Bioeconomy and Climate Finance: Designing Bankable Projects, aimed at 26 participants from public institutions and non-governmental organizations in Nicaragua.

The training took place from July 27 to September 3 and was delivered by specialists from CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), with support from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and CATIE’s National Office in Nicaragua. The program consisted of five sessions: four virtual and one in person.

One of the course’s main components was to provide participants with the knowledge and tools needed to develop a project concept note as a first step toward structuring proposals aimed at securing financing from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Turning capacities into financing opportunities

The technical coordination of the course was led by Vladimir Valera, Coordinator of the ACTIVA-CATIE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Laboratory, who also facilitated four of the five sessions: three virtually and the closing session, which was held in person.

According to Valera, strengthening national capacities is essential for institutions to develop proposals that respond to the country’s needs and realities.

“Building capacities within government institutions and organizations that work for the well-being of a country enables them to develop robust proposals that are grounded in local realities and seek to address the countries’ own needs,” Valera said.

The ACTIVA-CATIE coordinator also emphasized the importance of having trained professionals capable of developing proposals that can be submitted to international climate finance mechanisms, so that the resources obtained can help strengthen actions that benefit communities.

From CRS’s perspective, this type of training is particularly relevant given the effects that climate change is already having in Nicaragua.

“For CRS, this type of training is highly important because Nicaragua is already experiencing the effects of climate change on its communities, production systems, and natural resources. Strengthening capacities in bioeconomy and climate finance makes it possible to identify solutions that contribute both to sustainable development and to the resilience of the most vulnerable populations,” said Timothy Hansell, Country Director of CRS Nicaragua.

Diverse institutions, an opportunity to coordinate efforts

The training brought together representatives from public institutions and non-governmental organizations, including the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), the Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade (MIFIC), the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (MHCP), CRS, CATIE’s National Office in Nicaragua, World Vision International (WVI), and Taking Root.

The diversity of participants helped strengthen capacities across institutions working in strategic areas for sustainable development while also creating opportunities for greater coordination among institutions and organizations.

This process is particularly relevant following CRS’s recent accreditation to the Green Climate Fund, which opens new opportunities to explore financing mechanisms for climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives.

“CRS’s recent accreditation to the Green Climate Fund represents an important opportunity to explore new financing options that can expand the impact of climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives,” Hansell said.

The CRS Nicaragua Country Director added that this accreditation provides a valuable tool for strengthening joint efforts with partners and allies.

“At CRS, we see this accreditation as a valuable tool for contributing, together with our partners and allies, to the country’s sustainable development and climate resilience efforts, generating lasting results for communities,” added the CRS Nicaragua Country Director.

Specialized knowledge and regional collaboration

The course also highlighted one of CATIE’s strengths: its ability to integrate specialized knowledge and regional experience through its research units and national offices across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Academic and logistical coordination was led by ACTIVA-CATIE, while the special session on bioeconomy was delivered by Róger Madrigal, Coordinator of CATIE’s Environmental Economics and Sustainable Agribusiness Unit (UEAAS-EfD), who contributed his specialized expertise on the subject.

CATIE’s National Office in Nicaragua also supported the initiative, providing essential assistance in coordinating and implementing both the in-person and virtual activities.

“CATIE expresses its appreciation to the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity of Nicaragua for its support in carrying out the course and facilitating the participation of government officials, as well as to the regional office of Catholic Relief Services for its financial support for the initiative,” said Bayardo Quintero, Coordinator of CATIE’s National Office in Nicaragua.

In this way, the training not only strengthened technical knowledge of bioeconomy and climate finance but also connected capacities, institutions, and experiences to advance the development of initiatives that respond to Nicaragua’s climate and development challenges.