CONECTA


Promoting Healthy Watersheds through Sustainable Practices

The Project

Connecting Watershed Health with Sustainable Livestock and Agroforestry Production (CONECTA) aims to improve integrated landscape management and promote climate-smart productive practices in selected watersheds across the states of Chiapas, Chihuahua, Jalisco, and Veracruz.

Context

The CONECTA project provides the opportunity to coordinate efforts to face the double challenge of food security in the context of climate change. It has a landscape approach, focusing on watersheds vulnerable to climate change and affected by soil erosion.

The supported actions promote productive and environmental practices to increase the forest area under sustainable landscape management and improve livelihoods, water quality, and biodiversity. In addition, CONECTA promotes the production of food low in greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to meeting the commitments made by Mexico as one of the signatory countries of the Paris Agreement, simultaneously supporting addressing the great challenge of food security. 

The execution of the five-year project (2021-2026) is in charge of Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature (FMCN, acronym in Spanish) which is responsible for fiduciary aspects, and the National Institute of Climate Change (INECC, acronym in Spanish) which is in charge of technical leadership, which forms the CONECTA Technical Committee. The execution has the support of three regional funds: Gulf of Mexico Fund (Fondo Golfo de México, A.C.) in Veracruz; FONNOR (Northwestern and western Fund) in Jalisco; and El Triunfo Conservation Fund (Fondo de Conservación El Triunfo, A.C), in Chiapas. Additionally, nine federal agencies participate in the project through the Coordinating Committee, which seeks to scale the impact of CONECTA through the alignment of both public and private investments.

CONECTA's financing comes from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the World Bank, and from complementary sources (GEF co-financing).


The lines of work (components) that guide CONECTA's actions are:

  1. Development and promotion of integrated landscape management. The objective is to promote and implement integrated landscape management practices through (i) developing and improving six integrated landscape management instruments in priority watersheds (Integrated Watershed Action Plans, IWAP) and (ii) implementing these instruments through the coordination of public and private programs for a better alignment of actions and investments at the basin level.
  2. Strengthening business skills for sustainable livestock farming and agroforestry. This component strengthens formal and informal groups of sustainable livestock and agroforestry production to increase their organizational and management capacity.
  3. Conservation, restoration, and implementation of climate-smart practices in livestock and agroforestry landscapes. This component finances subprojects that cover a variety of activities to increase integrated management of the landscapes of the target watersheds.
  4. Project coordination, collaboration, and knowledge management. The project facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experiences between selected watersheds, systematically documenting and sharing good practices and lessons learned with beneficiaries and interested parties, as well as other related initiatives.

CONECTA promotes the connectivity of livestock and agroforestry landscapes in watersheds in Chiapas, Chihuahua, Jalisco and Veracruz.

Learn more about the Operating Manual

Achievements

CONECTA achieved significant progress in planning, implementing sustainable practices, and strengthening community capacity across various regions of the country. 

In 2024, the Action Plans for Integrated Watershed Management (PAMIC, acronym in Spanish) were completed for two priority regions: Vallarta, in Jalisco, and Istmo-Costa, in Chiapas. In addition, the PAMIC for the Río La Antigua region in Veracruz was published. 

In terms of sustainable production, over 23,000 hectares adopted good productive practices by producer groups working within the value chains of beef cattle, dairy, and shade-grown coffee, which has strengthened their competitiveness and sustainability. Thirty producer groups are currently receiving support from Local Technical Assistance Providers (PLATs, acronym in Spanish) to implement their Sustainable Production Business Strategies, and ten enterprises are undergoing a strengthening process. 

At the same time, local organizations promoted restoration and conservation actions on more than 10,000 hectares, with the active participation of over 800 producers implementing improved management practices. These efforts are supported by a community monitoring system operating in 11 watersheds, focusing on biodiversity, soil, livestock pastures, and/or water. 

During the second half of 2024, regional knowledge exchange gatherings were held among women, with the aim of strengthening their leadership, autonomy, and active participation in sustainable land management. Among them, notable gatherings included those focused on livestock and conservation in Chihuahua, nursery growers in Jalisco, and women producers from diverse value chains in Chiapas. 


Learn more about the project in the Operations Manual

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Results of the Independent Midterm Evaluation

  • Relevance
    CONECTA addresses urgent climate change challenges through an integrated approach that links watershed conservation with sustainable livestock and agroforestry production. Its alignment with regenerative practices positions it as an innovative and relevant project in the face of socio-ecological challenges affecting rural livelihoods in Mexico.
  • Achievements
    Notable achievements include the implementation of sustainable practices in regenerative ranching and shade-grown coffee production, improved producer incomes, and the development and publication of PAMICs, which strengthen local governance and connect conservation with production.
  • Lessons Learned
    The experience shows that environmental and social standards can drive sustainable transformation. The integration of complementary resources from the River Restoration for Climate Change Adaptation (RÍOS in Spanish) project, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), further enhances results. The evaluation also highlighted the need for operational teams to remain adaptable in the face of administrative challenges and security-related contexts.
  • Impact on the Territory and Local Communities
    The project has strengthened rural livelihoods by promoting sustainable practices and building collaborative networks among producers, organizations, and authorities. The trust generated and the shared learning processes are key elements for ensuring lasting impact.
  • Recommendations
    Independent evaluators recommended continued strengthening of administrative and technical capacities, promotion of regional dialogue platforms, and support for social and institutional innovation. Operational flexibility, from both donors and implementers, will be crucial to expand and sustain impact.

Allies

Donors:
  • Global Environment Facility (GEF)
  • World Bank

Partners:

  • National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC, acronym in Spanish)
  • Fondo de Conservación El Triunfo, A. C. (Foncet, acronym in Spanish) 
  • Fondo Golfo de México, A. C. (FGM, acronym in Spanish)
  • FONNOR, A. C. (Fondo Noroeste y Occidente)


Be part of the CONECTA and RÍOS Learning Community

A space for exchange and collaboration among project participants and people interested in conservation and sustainable production.


Environmental and Social Management Framework

CONECTA's Environmental and Social Management Framework (MGAS, acronym in Spanish) establishes, in general terms, the environmental and social guidelines for the project. It is complemented by four annexed documents, which include:

Stakeholder Participation Plan (PPPI, acronym in Spanish); Complaint and Consultation Care Mechanism (MAQC, acronym in Spanish); Procedural Framework for Involuntary Restrictions on Access to the Use of Natural Resources in Protected Areas (MP, acronym in Spanish); Planning Framework for Indigenous Peoples and Afro-Mexican Population (MPPI, acronym in Spanish).

The MGAS, with its appendices and supporting documents (annexes), is aligned with the Environmental and Social Standards of the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework. As needed or as an opportunity arises, the MGAS will be a living document, subject to continuous review and improvement during the CONECTA implementation period.

FAQ

  • 1. Where is the project implemented, and when did it start?

    CONECTA is implemented in 15 selected watersheds in Chiapas, Chihuahua, Jalisco, and Veracruz. It began in July 2021.

  • 2. How can I access the resource or enroll in the project?

    The call for sub-projects and Local Technical Assistance Providers (PLAT, acronym in Spanish) for CONECTA was published in January 2022 and is now closed, so there will be no new calls for sub-projects and PLAT associated with the project. To learn about the project’s progress and results, we invite you to stay tuned to our website and social media channels.

  • 3. Can the project be implemented in other regions?

    Eligible watersheds were determined in the project design phase. CONECTA is implemented in selected watersheds in Chiapas, Chihuahua, Jalisco, and Veracruz and is not expected to expand to other regions.

  • 4. How are vulnerable populations and the gender perspective integrated?

    The project's environmental and social safeguards and standards are key pillars. From its design, the project has been consulted with the watershed communities, and we have ensured to maximize the environmental and social benefits of the intervention regions. For more information, view the Environmental and Social Standards here.

    CONECTA integrates the gender approach in a cross-cutting manner. We have a gender assessment and a Gender Action Plan for the project, with specific activities, indicators, and a budget. View them here.

  • 5. How can I learn more or support the project?

    To learn more about CONECTA, click here. You can write to info@fmcn.org to find out how your organization can contribute to this project. 

  • 6. Can I participate in the CONECTA Learning Community activities?

    Yes! We invite you to join the CONECTA and RÍOS Learning Community. This self-managed space is designed for exchange, cooperation, and collective learning among people involved in the RÍOS and CONECTA projects, as well as the general public interested in conservation and sustainable production.

    Its purpose is to strengthen initiatives, amplify impact, and connect people dedicated to agroforestry, regenerative ranching, and integrated landscape management. This space fosters knowledge sharing, the resolution of common challenges, and the identification of new opportunities for collaboration—celebrating the diversity of experiences and knowledge that help us grow as a network of organizations and individuals working toward a shared goal.

    If you’re interested in being part of this community, you can register through this form and let us know how you’d like to participate.

Contact

To address any questions, clarifications, suggestions, complaints, or comments related to CONECTA, we provide you with the following means of contact corresponding to the project's Complaint and Consultation Care Mechanism. Your request will be treated with confidentiality, responsibility, and interest by the representatives of the project.

E-mail: denuncia@fmcn.org

Postal address: Francisco Sosa 102. Santa Catarina. Delegación Coyoacan. CDMX. C.P. 04010.

Telephone: 55 5611 9779






MAQC