Contributed: Belmopan—In a ceremony held today, the U.S. Embassy celebrated the recipients of four 2024 Central America Regional Security Initiative, Economic Support Fund (CARSI-ESF) grants. The recipients will partner with government agencies on projects that involve targeted capacity building efforts for municipal governments, aspiring parliamentarians and public officers in governance processes. They will also strengthen community responses to gender-based violence (GBV) and domestic human trafficking. The total value of the four grants is US$1 million.
This U.S. government-sponsored program promotes civil society engagement to strengthen democracy at all levels of government. Through CARSI-ESF funding, the U.S. government works with civil society organizations to support the economic, political, and security needs of partner countries in Central America.
The 2024 CARSI ESF grantees include:
- Galen University Project: Strengthening Good Governance and Transparency at the Municipal Level
- United Nations Development Programme Project: Strengthening Governance for Transparency and Accountability in the Belize
- RET International Project: Nurturing Connections – Empowering Parents, Teachers, and Adolescents for Healthy Relationships
- The Love Foundation Project: Youth Engagement in Political Action – Advancing Integrated Municipalities (AIM-Belize).
Since 2012, the United States has invested more than US $12 million in Belize through CARSI-ESF funding to support transparent and accountable governments, promote economic prosperity, protect human rights, and enhance citizen security.
U.S. Embassy Belmopan thanks all the 2024 CARSI ESF applicants for their thoughtful and innovative proposals.
