Strengthening livelihoods and fostering community involvement in co-managing MPAs
Communities along the northern coast of Haiti and Dominican Republic rely heavily on fishing for their livelihoods and depend on healthy marine ecosystems and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These lifelines are threatened by overfishing, environmental degradation and climate change, exacerbating economic challenges. Local women’s active roles in fisheries remain largely under-recognised, restricting their contribution to decision-making and access to resources.
To address these challenges, the Blue Hispaniola Project aims to empower small-scale fishers, especially women, in these coastal communities. Community-led initiatives will strengthen local fishers’ organisations, promote gender equity in fisheries, and improve community access to training, markets and alternative economic opportunities. This approach will enhance livelihoods and supports community involvement in co-managing MPAs, reducing threats to biodiversity and multi-dimensional poverty.
The project will improve the management of 92,250 marine hectares and benefit over 8,000 individuals through a bi-national blue economy corridor – a cross-border collaboration for sustainable marine resource stewardship. It will support 8,350 Indigenous Peoples and Local Community members (IPLCs), with at least 50% women, approximately 70% from six areas of Haiti and 30% from two areas in the Dominican Republic.
