Second Grants Cycle Opens to Strengthen the Trinational Conservation of the Selva Maya
The “Protection of Natural Resources of the Selva Maya II” project will channel up to €750,000 for sub-projects that strengthen the integrated, coordinated, and participatory management of natural and cultural heritage in priority areas for the conservation and restoration of the largest forest in Mesoamerica.
Belmopan, Belize. December 3, 2025. The second phase of the “Protection of Natural Resources of the Selva Maya II” project, financed by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW Development Bank and implemented by IUCN, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, moves forward in strengthening the conservation of the most extensive tropical forest in Mesoamerica.
With an event held on November 28 at the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management of Belize, and a virtual session held on December 1, IUCN officially opened the call for concept notes for projects to be implemented in 33 protected areas and connectivity zones in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico.
The initiatives must have a duration of between 18 and 24 months and may request non-refundable financing amounts ranging from €300,000 to €750,000, depending on the type and scope of the proposed actions.
The call will remain open until February 2, 2026. To consult the full participation guidelines and download all required annexes, interested individuals and organizations may visit the official website of the Selva Maya II Project: https://iucn.cr/arcgis/apps/sites/#/selvamayaiieng. There they will find detailed guidelines, templates, and all information needed to prepare and submit their proposals, which must include an endorsement letter from the national authorities responsible for protected areas.
The second cycle is launched following a first process that saw strong participation from civil society organizations across the three countries, which presented solid, innovative, and technically robust proposals. In this first cycle, 12 initiatives were selected to advance to the sub-project proposal development phase.
Alexander Ehlert, Director for KfW Development Bank’s Regional Office for Central America, noted: “For several years now, KfW and the German government have been supporting the Selva Maya… That is why I am very pleased that we are continuing with Selva Maya II and, above all, that we now have strong participation from civil society, NGOs, and various organizations working to protect these protected areas.”
The Selva Maya II project aims to strengthen the integrated, coordinated, and participatory management of natural and cultural heritage in 33 Priority Protected Areas across the three countries that share this natural treasure.
“Within the framework of the second phase, IUCN continues working with the governments of the three countries, civil society organizations, and the communities that inhabit the Selva Maya. Our shared objective is to strengthen the management effectiveness of the prioritized protected areas that face increasing pressures such as climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. Community participation is indispensable to this work,” emphasized Úrsula Parrilla, IUCN Regional Director for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Úrsula Parrilla, Regional Director of IUCN ORMACC, highlighted that this launch represents a key step for strengthening the conservation and sustainable management of the Selva Maya. She emphasized that the call opens new opportunities for communities, Indigenous Peoples, and organizations to work together with authorities on inclusive and coordinated solutions for this trinational landscape
The initiative is implemented in close coordination with the governments of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico, with whom IUCN works continuously to ensure that project activities respond to national priorities, the needs of responsible institutions, and the concrete challenges identified in each territory.
The Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management, Hon. Orlando Habet, encouraged representatives of civil society organizations to make the most of this new window of participation: “This is a renewed chance for us to present proposals and try to bring our projects to life. I believe it is very important to partner with another organization so that together you can pursue something that not only benefits our communities, but that envisions Belize as a whole.”
Hon. Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management of Belize, participated in the launch event, highlighting the Government of Belize’s dedication to protecting the natural and cultural heritage of the Selva Maya, as well as the importance of trinational initiatives that promote conservation, connectivity, and sustainable development in the region.
At its core, the call promotes the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, youth, and territorial actors, recognizing their key role in protecting the Selva Maya and ensuring the long-term sustainability of its ecosystems.
This second grant cycle reaffirms the shared commitment of the governments, German cooperation, and IUCN—especially at a time when the region gains greater relevance with the Calakmul Declaration and the establishment of the Biocultural Corridor of the Greater Selva Maya, which recognizes the global importance of this forest massif and the need to strengthen its trinational governance.
During the virtual event, Eduardo Robelo, Director of Synergies for International Affairs and Commitments of Mexico’s National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), noted: “We are now presented with a unique opportunity, reaffirmed through the Calakmul Declaration, which underscores the commitment of the three countries to protect such an important region—one so rich in biodiversity and, above all, essential for the communities that live in and depend on the resources found within it.”
The call to participate in this second cycle is also an invitation to propose innovative and sustainable solutions that protect this unique ecosystem and ensure that the benefits of the Selva Maya continue to flow for present and future generations.
“The Selva Maya II project continues building on the achievements reached in its first phase… Let us continue, together, with optimism and enthusiasm for the sustainable future of the Selva Maya. Let us remember that conservation is a shared responsibility,” stated Igor de la Roca, Executive Secretary of the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) of Guatemala and current pro tempore Chair of the Selva Maya Strategic Coordination Group.
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