Belmopan—The U.S. Embassy announces the recipients of the 2020 Central America Regional Security Initiative, Economic Support Fund (CARSI ESF) grants. The four grants, totaling U.S. $866,000, support good governance, using civil society engagement to strengthen government effectiveness. The United States has invested more than U.S. $44 million since 2008 through CARSI to fund programs to support justice initiatives, at-risk youth, good governance, and citizen security in Belize.
Grant applicants were required to address at least one of three key objectives. The first objective is strengthening the partnership between civil society and government partnership. The second objective is developing and strengthen mechanisms to curb human trafficking and improve service delivery for vulnerable and/or marginalized populations. The third objective is supporting civil society efforts in working with government to institute reforms to reduce corruption and impunity.
The 2020 CARSI ESF grantees are:
Human Trafficking Institute
- Project: A TIPPING POINT: Achieving Trafficking in Persons Prevention by Implementing New Government Protocols and Offering Innovative National Training
Love Foundation
- Project: Education for Integrity
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center
- Project: Enhancing Community Health through Fire Management in Central Belize
University of Texas at Tyler
- Project: Addressing the Gaps in Teacher Preparation to Strengthen Primary Education in Marginalized Communities in Belize
U.S. Embassy Belmopan thanks all the 2020 CARSI ESF applicants for their thoughtful and innovative proposals. The United States is proud to partner with the selected grantees as they work to make a better future for the people of Belize.