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Published Thursday, March 4, 2021
Half a million dollars available through
U.S. program Debt for Nature Swap
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Entrepreneurs, foundations or associations with projects mitigating impacts of covid-19 on the biodiversity and livelihoods of communities qualify to apply for the Debt for Nature Swap between the United States and Costa Rica. There is an available half-a-million dollars to finance the conservation initiatives.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) could receive $41,000 per project and Non-Profit Organizations (ODB) could receive $100,000.
The Swap focuses on promoting local development through the consolidation of recent and new ventures that aim to facilitate the conservation, protection, restoration and sustainable use of tropical forests in Costa Rica.
Location is one of the requirements for the application. The project must be developed in one of the nine geographic areas prioritized by the Swap: Rincón de la Vieja, Nicoya, Maquenque, Tortuguero, La Amistad, The Cordillera Central (a volcanic mountain range in the central country), northern zone of the country, Guanacaste Province and Osa Canton.
The first Debt for Nature Swap opportunity seeks available lands not located in protected wilderness zones. The second exchange will apply for protected wilderness zones.
The Costa Rica Forever Association is responsible for managing the proposals from applicants.
Legally established non-profit organizations with more than two years of experience in environmental, forest, conservation, indigenous peoples and sustainable development projects can participate.
The committee is looking for proposals in the following areas:
• Support of livelihoods of populations living in and near forested areas.
• Increase connectivity between tropical forests and restoration.
• Promote green business linkages that support the conservation of biodiversity.
• Support the efforts of conservation of species outside their habitat, related to the conservation of biodiversity and improvement of livelihoods of communities.
• Investigate threatened flora and fauna species.
A debt-for-nature swap consists of a mechanism whereby, through an agreement, a country, in this case, Costa Rica, which has a debt with the United States , agrees to create a local currency fund to finance projects to help conserve their tropical forests, in exchange for the cancellation of part of this debt.
In 2007, the value of the Debt for Nature Swap saw $26 million. It is managed since 2017 by the Costa Rica Forever Association.
The Exchange is meant to facilitate the conservation, protection, restoration and sustainable use of the tropical forests of Costa Rica. Prioritizing six geographic areas: Osa, La Amistad, Tortuguero, Maquenque, Northeast Area of Rincón de la Vieja and Nicoya.
People or organizations interested have until April 12 to apply. More information on how to access this program can be found by calling the Costa Rica Forever Association line (506) 2220-4270.
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What association or foundation do you know that are looking to finance environmental projects? We would like to know your
thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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