Environmental protection + small business development spurs economic growth
Region: Latin America
FHI 360’s Nicaragua Market-Based Opportunities for Conservation and Sustainable Tourism program educates local tourism entrepreneurs on how to promote sound environmental practices and train other small, rural tourism providers to do the same. Since the program began in 2010, more than 1,000 tourism providers and guides — nearly half of them women — received training in topics ranging from leadership skills and bookkeeping to improving water and sanitation and decreasing pollution on the Rio Jiguina. More than 120 private-sector firms have improved management practices, and participating micro-, small and medium enterprises have experienced a 17 percent increase in revenues. In addition, more than 3,100 Nicaraguans have participated in environmental education initiatives and activities.
Funder: United States Agency for International Development
