Projects That Have Been Implemented

1. Supporting the improvement of the quality of life in the vulnerable region of Talamanca

Source of Funding: FUNDECOOPERACION

Project Description:

In general terms the project aims to contribute to generating a change in the current production models in Talamanca, by developing aprocess for training farmers and land owners prior to the planning and implementation stages of a project for the integral management of farms.  This integrates components of livestock, agriculture, and forestry, and also incorporates clean energy production and proper waste disposal, with the goal of producing greater benefit to the household economy.  It is hoped the results of this process contribute to and/or salvage a viable alternative for the local population, that it is conducive to diversification of the family economy, improvement in nutritional requirements, conservation of the environment and above all that it eliminates the dependence on non-sustainable productive models that require external raw materials.

General Objective:

To contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of farmers in Bratsi, Sixaola and Cahuita by improving their productive capacity and increasing family income.

Specific Objectives:

1. To develop a training process with the members of the project in regard to the agroecology, food security, management of integral farms, marketing and merchandise. 
   
2. To support each farm owner in the preparation of a plan for creating an integral farm.
3. To support farm owners so that they will implement the knowledge acquired in the training process.
4. To seek potential markets for the placement of products derived from integral farms.

Start Date: February 2009

End Date: February 2010

2. Immediate response to the emergency caused by flooding in the Talamanca region

Source of Funding:  Programa de Pequeñas Donaciones - PPD-PNUD (Small Donations Program)

Project Description:

To create natural barriers that mitigate the negative impacts of floods occurring in the canton due to intense rains by planting different species of trees along the banks of the Sixaola River with the collaboration and direct inclusion of the neighboring farm owners.  In addition this generates a process of including different species which allows the transition, little by little, of the existing monoculture in the area to a system in which the small farmer has other sources of income and greater independence.  This project has been carried out in collaboration with different local organizations.

General Objective:

To contribute to the mitigation of the effects of the crisis that occurred in the Talamanca region, caused by the floods that affected the canton.

Specific Objectives:

1. Recuperation of degraded areas along the banks of the Sixaola River and involvement of the farmers and inhabitants in the process as a strategy to protect the integrity of the local population.  
   
2. To advance the reactivation of farming activities that foster models of agroforestry production.  
   
3. To encourage changes in the traditional agricultural production system toward models of diversified production.
4. To support the indigenous community of Yorkin by repairing infrastructural works damaged by the floods and which are essential for the local population's potable water supply.

Start Date: May 2009

End Date: May 2010

3. Residual water management in the community of Manzanillo, Talamanca.

Source of Funding: Fundación AVINA (AVINA Foundation)

Project Description:

This project seeks to resolve the management of residual waters in the community of Manzanillo.  To that end a census was taken to clarify existing needs, determining that there were 83 specific cases where residual waters are disposed, corresponding to the needs of 1,161 customers including the resident and visitor populations.  The location of each customer and type of equipment they require were clarified for each specific situation, depending on whether they were commericial, residential or institutional.

General Objective:

To regulate the disposal of residual waters in the community of Manzanillo, Talamanca.

Specific Objectives:

1. To provide a solution to 83 specific situations of residual water disposal, corresponding to the needs of 1,161 customers, including resident and visitor populations.
2. To offer operating instructions for the proper functioning of the systems to be installed..
3. To coordinate with the authorities of the MINAET, the Municipality of Talamanca and the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud), and Water and Sewage (Acueductos y Alcantarillados or AyA), in order to establish the requirements necessary for future construction according to the system to be installed.

4. Management, use and other aspects of water resources in Talamanca

Source of Funding: PPD-PNUD

Project Description:

The project proposes to facilitate an process that involves local communities and institutions related to water resources (like ASADA) to propitiate its use and management, considering its environmental cost, and to establish a water rate.

General Objective:

To generate a participatory community process that allows for the proper management and protection of water resources, and the assessment of other aspects of this resource.

Specific Objectives:

1. To support a process of economic and environmental assessment of water resources as an environmental service, and its respective internalization by the local population.
2. To create a participatory process by consensus, for establishing the cost of environmental services for water protection, that will be applied to environmental education programs and the purchase of land where springs are located, by the ASADA of BriBri.
3. To strengthen the management capacity of at least 4 organizations that operate rural aqueducts in Talamanca.
4. To create a process of territorial organization of the aquifer recharging area for the BriBri aqueduct, as well as the exploitation of other resources.

5. Strengthening the Talamanca-Carribbean Biological Corridor Network by the Promotion of Youth Leadership

Source of Funding: AVINA

Project Description:

This project seeks to create a NEW GENERATION of young leaders who can carry the torch forward for the sustainability of the process developed in Talamanca by different organizations, as well as the strengthening of the local communities.

General Objective:

Strengthening of the CBTC Association, as a network of local organizations, through the support and promotion of a training process for young people who are directors/leaders, to favor generational linkages and change within the organizations, and to establish conditions for the sustainability of these in terms of leadership or capacity for management.

Specific Objectives:

1. Strengthening of the CBTC Association Network by the incorporation of new grassroots organizations and with the dynamic and commmitted participation of its members.
2. Enrichment of the CBTC Network's Member Organizations by the participation of highly committed young leaders wihtin their memberships.